SOCIAL  SURVEY 

—  OF  — ^ 

FARGO,  NORTH  DAKOTA 


—  BY  — 

The  Social  Science  Department  of 
Fargo  College 


Under  the  Direction  of 

MANUEL  C.  ELMER,  Ph.  D. 

Professor  of  Sociology  and  Economics 
FOR 

THE  ASSOCIATED  CHARITIES 

-  Of  - 

FARGO,  NORTH  DAKOTA 


P  1*^  +  3> 

^  Op'  "J 
A 


7 

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FOREWORD 

Toward  the  end  of  the  year  1914,  the  Associated  Charities  of 
Fargo,  North  Dakota,  decided  that  in  order  to  do  the  most  effi¬ 
cient  wofk  it  was  necessary  to  take  an  inventory  of  the  problems 
of  the  City  having  direct  or  indirect  bearing  upon  the  work  of 
the  Association. 

It  was  felt  that  there  were  certain  facts  which  should  be 
brought  before  the  citizens  of  Fargo  in  order  that  all  might  more 
intelligently  cooperate  in  promoting  the  communities’  welfare. 

Professor  Elmer  of  Fargo  College  volunteered  to  make  this 
investigation  for  the  Associated  Charities,  having  the  following 
points  in  view: 

1.  To  discover  the  social  problems  of  the  community. 

2.  To  establish,  by  statistics,  their  extent. 

3.  To  suggest  remedies  where  possible. 

4.  To  prepare  a  map  of  the  city  showing  conditions  with  re¬ 
gard  to  sewer,  water,  plumbing,  etc. 

To  supplement  the  study  of  social  conditions,  notice  was  also- 
taken  of  the  agencies  operating  in  Fargo,  and  attempting  to  meet 
its  needs.  In  short,  the  object  of  this  survey  is  to  determine  the 
social  assets  and  liabilities  of  the  city. 


4 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


EXECUTIVE  BOARD  OF  THE  ASSOCIATED  CHARITIES 


President _ 

Vice-President _ 

Corresponding  Secretary- 

Treasurer  _ 

Visiting  Nurse _ 


_ E.  A.  Ricker 

_ Mrs.  Alex  Stern 

.  Mrs.  R.  E.  Weible 

_ Herbert  Loomis 

Miss  Barbara  Hazel 


BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS 


Mrs.  Edward  Engerud 
Mr.  C.  F.  Amidon 
Mrs.  H.  E.  Magill 
Mrs.  Alex  Stern 
Mrs.  McNair 
Mrs.  Max  Stern 
Mr.  Max  Stern 
J.  P.  Hardy 
Alex  Stern 
Mrs.  Kindred 
Mrs.  R.  M.  Pollock 
*  Deceased. 


Dr.  R.  A.  Beard 
Mr.  E.  A.  Ricker 
Mrs.  John  Batherick 
Mrs.  Wm.  Ball 
Dean  Dowling 
Mrs.  Young 
Mrs.  Hollister 
Father  Vincent  Egan 
Mrs.  Ike  Herbst 
Mrs.  R.  E.  Weible 
*Mrs.  E.  M.  Darrow 


DIRECTOR  OF  SOCIAL  SURVEY 


M.  C.  ELMER,  Ph.  D.,  Professor  of  Sociology  and  Economics, 
Fargo  College 


STAFF  OF  ASSISTANTS 


Clarence  Lane 
A.  R.  Carpenter 
Paul  Booth 
Karl  Gulick 
M.  A.  Wilk 
R.  D.  Henry 


J.  H.  Jackson 
Evart  Anderson 
Hazel  Hutcheson 
Margaret  Freeman 
Azalia  Kolbe 
Lillian  Zintheo 


And  other  members  of  the  Social  Science  department  of  Fargo 
College. 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OP  FARGO,  N.  D. 


5 


INTRODUCTION 


In  1871,  the  City  of  Fargo,  North  Dakota,  was  founded  and 
named  after  W.  G.  Fargo,  of  the  Wells  Fargo  Express  Company. 
The  extension  of  the  Railroad  into  Dakota  territory  was  the  most 
important  reason  for  locating  the  city  at  this  place.  It  was  custom¬ 
ary  for  cities  to  be  located  at  the  junction  of  every  river  of  any 
size,  and  since  the  Red  River  of  the  North,  was  used  for  navigation 
at  that  time,  it  was  expected  that  Fargo  would  become  one  of  the 
leading  cities  of  the  northwest.  This  has  become  a  fact,  but,  not 
because  of  the  navigability  of  the  Red  River, — rather  because  of 
the  fertility  of  the  valley  and  surrounding  country.  This  latter 
fact  was  the  means  of  bringing  great  numbers  of  settlers  to  this, 
region,  who  made  Fargo  the  center  of  their  business  transactions. 

Fargo  has  had  a  steady,  healthy  growth  ever  since  its  be¬ 
ginning.  The  buildings  which  were  first  constructed  were  of  cheap 
material,  and  as  is  generally  the  case  in  a  new  town,  cheaply  con¬ 
structed,  but  after  the  fire  of  1893,  a  new  Fargo  sprung  up,  and 
today  the  city  gives  the  appearance  of  a  city  two  or  three  times  its 
size.  Nor  is  this  impression  founded  merely  in  the  general  ap¬ 
pearance  of  the  city.  The  business  activities,  likewise,  are  com¬ 
parable  to  cities  having  a  far  greater  population.  It  has  indeed 
become,  as  was  early  predicted,  “the  Gateway  of  the  Northwest,” 
— and  present  tendencies  would  indicate,  that  its  growth  will  keep 
pace  with  the  development  of  this  region. 

The  material  growth  of  the  city  has  been  so  rapid,  that  it  has 
outstripped  its  development  of  civic  co-operation.  Fargo  has  out¬ 
grown  the  machinery  for  relieving  distress,  for  preventing  vice  and 
crime,  and  for  eliminating  disease,  which  sufficed  when  it  was  a 
small  community.  Hence  it  is  the  purpose  of  this  survey  to  point 
out  the  principle  community  needs;  indicate  practical  methods  of 
meeting  these  needs;  to  make  clear  the  existence  within  the  city 
of  abundant  resources  for  the  organization  and  development  of 
agencies  for  civic  betterment,  by  a  greater  co-operation  and  con¬ 
centration  of  the  efforts  of  those  already  existing.  In  short,  the 
keynote  to  the  method  for  dealing  with  our  present  problems  is  to 
be  found  in  organized,  farsighted  personal  co-operation. 


6 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OP  FARGO,  N.  D. 


NATURAL  PHYSICAL  CONDITIONS. 

The  city  of  Fargo  is  ideally  located  to  become  one  of  tht  most 
important  cities  in  the  northwest.  It  is  on  the  eastern  boundary 
of  North  Dakota,  in  that  most  fertile  region,  the  Red  River  Val¬ 
ley,  is  250  miles  from  St.  Paul,  250  miles  from  Duluth,  and  200 
miles  from  Winnipeg,  Canada. 

Fargo  is  situated  on  the  Red  River  of  the  North,  in  Cass 
County,  North  Dakota.  The  Red  River  Valley  was  formed  by 
glacial  aqtion  and  at  one  time  formed  the  bed  of  Lake  Agassiz. 
Tht  Ottertail  River  having  its  source  in  the  Lakes  near  Detroit, 
Minnesota  and  the  Bois  de  Sioux  having  its  source  in  Lake  Tra¬ 
verse  form  the  Red  River  by  junction  at  Wahpeton,  North  Dakota, 
and  from  this  point  flows  North  through  the  valley  to  its  outlet  in 
Lake  Winnipeg.  The  drainage  area  above  the  City  is  about  6,000 
square  miles.  There  are  no  streams  of  any  conwequence  that  act 
as  feeders  of  the  river  besides  the  two  mentioned  above,  and  most 
of  the  flow  is  received  from  the  Ottertail. 

The  bed  of  the  valley  is  mostly  a  clay  overlaid  by  an  average 
of  two  feet  of  loam.  The  whole  area  drained  above  the  city  is 
essentially  a  farming  territory  with  small  villages  and  towns  sit¬ 
uated  at  various  points.  There  are  several  cities  located  on  this 
drainage  area  among  which  may  be  mentioned  Fergus  Falls,  Breck- 
enridge,  Wahpeton  and  Abercrombie. 

Originally  water  was  used  from  the  Red  River  for  all  pur¬ 
poses.  It  was  hauled  about  the  city  and  sold  as  a  commodity. 
At  a  later  date,  about  1879,  a  pumping  station  was  installed  and 
water  supplied  through  mains  laid  under  a  franchise  by  a  Water 
Company.  This  source  of  supply  and  method  of  distribution  was 
satisfactory  until  the  water  shed  became  settled  and  the  river  be¬ 
came  contaminated  by  the  run  off  from  farms  and  possibly  from 
sewage  from  the  growing  cities  situated  on  the  river  above  the 
city. 

There  were  other  objectionable  features  of  the  water  for  a 
domestic  supply  and  in  the  early  90’s  a  number  of  artesian  wells 
were  put  down  in  the  western  part  of  the  city.  These  wells  pro¬ 
duced  a  supply  of  good  water  but  it  was  exceedingly  hard  and  con¬ 
siderable  discussion  was  carried  on  from  time  to  time  as  to  the 
desirability  of  using  a  water  carrying  a  large  amount  of  mineral 
solids  in  solution.  Recently  a  new  purification  plant  and  pump¬ 
ing  station  have  been  erected  at  a  cost  of  $160,000.00. 

As  will  be  shown  in  the  course  of  this  report,  the  fullest  ad¬ 
vantages  is  not  taken  by  the  citizens  of  Fargo,  of  their  excellent 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


7 


sewer  and  water  system,  a  very  large  percentage  of  the  dwellers  of 
the  city,  still  hying  their  water  from  day  to  day,  and  having  no 
.sewer  connections  or  plumbing  in  their  houses.  (See  map.) 

Island  Park,  38  acres,  Oak  Grove,  16  acres,  and  Riverside 
Drive,  epding  in  Belmont  Park,  make  the  scenic  advantages  and 
possibilities  for  beautifying  the  city,  unsurpassed  in  this  region. 
It  may  safely  be  said  that  when  the  people  of  the  city  fully  realize 
the  advantages  offered  in  this  respect,  that  Fargo  will  lead  in  re¬ 
spect  to  its  beauty  spots,  as  it  has  in  business  enterprise  and  devel¬ 
opment  along  other  lines. 

Fargo  is  not  blessed  with  any  of  the  natural  resources  which 
usually  appeal  to  the  casual  visitor  or  inquirer,  such  as  coal,  oil, 
minerals,  water  power,  or  great  forests,  but,  the  region  does  abound 
in  as  fertile  and  productive  soil  as  can  be  found  anywhere  in  the 
United  States. 

For  a  time  it  appeared  as  tho  the  example  of  some  of  our 
older  sections  would  be  followed,  and  by  a  continual  recroping  to 
wheat;  the  soil  would  be  depleted.  There  is  however,  already  a 
trend  away  from  this.  Farmers  are  rapidly  beginning  to  adopt 
diversified  farming,  thereby  making  more  and  more  sure  the  future 
greatness  of  our  city. 

The  climate  of  this  region  is  very  ideal.  While  the  winters 

are  rather  long  and  cold,  there  is  abundant  sunshine,  and  no  ex¬ 

treme  changes,  as  are  sometimes  experienced  in  the  Great  Lake  Re¬ 
gion.  There  is  however,  one  item  in  connection  with  the  long 
winters;  coal  and  wood  must  be  shipped  in  from  considerable  di¬ 
stances  making  the  added  cost  of  freight  a  great  burden  to  the 

poorer  classes.  Hard  coal  sold  during  the  past  winter  for  $10.50 

per  ton,  and  birch  wood  for  $9.00  per  cord. 

POPULATION. 

The  population  of  a  city  is  dependant  to  a  very  great  extent 
upon  the  natural  physical  conditions  of  the  community.  The  na-' 
tural  advantages  and  resources  of  the  region,  together  with  the 
advantageous  commercial  location  are  the  great  determining  fac¬ 
tors  in  a  city’s  growth  and  development.  The  city  of  Fargo  is  so 
situated  that  it  is  bound  to  become  a  large  city.  It’s  growth  has 
never  been  spasmodic,  but,  regular  and  continuous,  due  to  a  steady 
increase  in  business  and  industry,  rather  than  a  temporary  boom, 
as  is  often  the  case  with  new  towns.  Hence  the  future  growth  of 
Fargo  is  assured.  The  following  table  will  indicate  the  increase 
in  the  cities  growth: 


8 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


Date 

Population 

No. 

Cent 

1880 

2,693 

Increase 

Per 

1890 

5,664 

2,971 

110.3 

1900 

9,589 

3925 

69. a 

1910 

14,331 

4,742 

49.5 

1915  _  _ 

19,350 

5019 

30.00 

The  statistics  for  the  last  five  years  would  indicate  that  the 
growth  from  1910-1920  will  be  even  greater  than  the  preceeding 
ten  years.  Likewise,  the  fact  that  at  the  preesnt  time,  more  dwel¬ 
ling  houses  are  being  erected  than  at  any  time  since  the  fire;  seems- 
to  assure  a  continued  growth  of  the  city. 

CITY  OF  INDIVIDUAL  HOMES. 

Fargo  is  decidedly  a  city  of  individual  homes,  there  being  only 
170  houses  in  the  city  containing  more  than  one  family,  neither  are 
there  very  large  congested  areas.  Probably,  the  most  congested 
area,  outside  of  the  business  area  between  the  N.  P.  and  G.  N.  de¬ 
pots,  is  on  lower  Front  Street.  In  one  block,  on  lower  Front 
Street,  there  are  111  permanent  inhabitants,  (not  to  speak  of  the 
great  number  of  lodgers  and  boarders  at  certain  periods  of  the 
year).  This  block  (No.  1  Cass  Co.)  addition)  which  is  next  to- 
the  south  bridge  and  the  river,  is  mentioned  in  this  case  particu¬ 
larly  because,  it  has  neither  water  nor  sewer  connections.  IS  IT 
NOT  NECESSARY  FOR  THE  HEALTH  OF  THE  REST  OF  THE 
CITY  THAT  SUCH  CONDITIONS  SHOULD  CEASE  TO  EXIST? 

There  are  no  distinct  districts  in  Fargo,  based  entirely  upon 
racial  or  industrial  differences,  altho  there  are  several  comparative¬ 
ly  well  defined  districts.  Front  street,  and  the  adjacent  sections 
is  largely  the  abode  of  the  more  recent  immigrants,  who  live  there 
because  of  differences  in  the  rental  rates,  rather  than 
because  of  racial  or  other  causes.  There  are  several  localities  of 
a  somewhat  similar  nature,  scattered  about  the  city,  where  the 
dwellings  are  old,  out  of  repair,  and,  which  to  a  large  extent,  are 
unconnected  with  water  or  sewer;  e.  g.  “the  hollow”,  and  a  small 
district  just  north  of  the  filtration  plant. 

The  three  leading  nationalities  are  the  Scandinavian,  British 
and  German;  about  30  per  cent  of  the  population  is  Scandinavian 
and  of  Scandinavian  descent;  18  per  cent  British  and  of  British 
descent  and  17  per  cent  German  and  of  German  descent.  About 
25  per  cent  are  of  the  second  or  more’  generations,  American  born. 
Up  to  the  present  time  there  has  been  no  great  concentration  of 
immigrants  in  the  cities  of  the  state,  and  to  guard  against  such 
concentration  is  the  future,  the  last  legislature  has  created  a 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


9 


;State  Board  of  Immigration,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  study  the 
industrial  situation  of  the  State,  and  encourage  the  immigration  of 
such  persons  as  are  especially  needed  in  North  Dakota.  Also  it 
shall  be  their  duty  to  be  in  touch  with  all  phases  of  the  industrial 
situation  and  give  necessary  aid  and  suggestions  to  immigrants,  and 
help  them  to  become  properly  located.  (See  Senate  Bill  No.  194, 
Sessions  of  1915). 


DOMESTIC  LIFE. 

We  are  ever  confronted  by  new  problems  which  seem  .almost 
unsurmountable,  because  their  very  solution  will  bring  about  an 
entirely  new  order  of  things.  Modern  economic  conditions  are 
developing  new  domestic  problems.  Labor  formerly  done  in  the 
homes,  is  now  being  done  in  great  industrial  establishments,  mak¬ 
ing  it  necessary,  where  the  husband  cannot  earn  enough  to  sup¬ 
port  the  family,  for  the  wife  to  go  abroad  and  secure  work. 

As  above  stated,  while  this  is  a  city  of  individual  homes,  still 
the  economic  conditions  have  an  influence  upon  the  domestic  life, 
particularly  in  regard  to  raising  the  age  of  marriage.  The  average 
marriage  age  in  Fargo  is  as  follows: 


Male  27.093  years. 

Female  23.176  years. 

Male  and  Female  25.134  years. 
Of  the  leading  nationalities: 


Male 

American  and  British  _ : _ 26.83 

German  _  _ 27.24 

Scandinavian  _  _ 27.115 


Female  Both 

22.28  24.54 

22.4  24.88 

23.518  25.317 


The  following  table  will  indicate  the  rate  of  marriage  and  di¬ 


vorce  in  Cass  County.  (P.  14261-15760  Regis,  of  actions,  Cass 
County. ) 

Divorces  Marriages 

Nov.  1911— Nov.  1912  _ 35  _ 

Nov.  1912 — Nov.  1913 _ 30  _ 

Nov.  1913 — Nov.  1914 _ 36  204 


Out  of  101  divorce  cases  the  husband  was  the  defendant  80 
times,  and  the  wife  only  21  times,  showing  that  the  infidelity  of 
men  is  of  a  much  higher  ratio  than  women.  Many  cases  of  di¬ 
vorce  arose  because  of  desertion  but  in  North  Dakota  desertion  to 
other  states  is  a  misdemeanor  and  unless  other  elements  are  in¬ 
volved  is  not  extraditable. 


10 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


Birth  rat/e : 

The  birth  rate  for  the  past  three  years  in  the  City  of  Fargo, 
provided  all  births  were  recorded,  is  as  follows: 


January  2,  1912  to  Jan.  2,  1913  _ 282 

January  2,  1913  to  January  1914 _ 324 

January  2,  1914  to  January  2,  1915 _ . - 325 

Deathrate : 

During  the  same  period  as  the  above,  the  deathrate  in  Fargo 

was: 

January  2,  1912  to  January  2,  1913 _ 230 

January  2,  1913  to  January  2,  1914 _ 258 

January  2,  1914  to  January  2,  1915 _ 315 


Thus  for  the  year  1914-1915  the  BIRTH  RATE  WAS  ONLY 
10  MORE  THAN  THE  DEATH  RATE. 

We  have  seen  above,  that  the  city  of  Fargo  is  growing,  but 
these  birth  and  death  statistics  would  indicate  that  the  population 
of  the  city  was  doing  little  more  than  holding  its  own  in  numbers, 
that  most  of  the  increase  in  population  was  due  to  migration 
to  the  city  from  the  surrounding  territory  and  from  immigration 
from  other  states  and  countries. 

325  BABIES  BORN — 77  DID  NOT  LIVE  ONE  YEAR! 

Let  us  analyze  this  death-rate  a  little  farther.  There  were, 
325  registered  births  in  the  year  1914-1915.  During  the  same  year 
there  were  registered  77  deaths  of  children  less  than  one  year  old. 
In  other  words,  23.7  per  cent  of  all  babies  born  in  the  city,  died 
before  they  were  one  year  old:  while  9  6,  or  nearly  30  per  cent 
died  before  reaching  the  age  of  5  years.  In  Fargo,  the  infant 
mortality  rate  was  237  per  1000;  in  London,  which  is  near  the 
average  for  all  large  cities  is  159  per  1000. 

HOUSING. 

The  housing  conditions  of  a  community  effect  practically  every 
aspect  of  its  social  well  being,  and  is  one  of  the  most  important 
factors  in  determining  the  health  and  morals  of  the  community. 
Most  of  the  smaller  cities  in  the  U.  S.  have  very  meagre  housing 
laws  and  in  this  Fargo  is  no  exception.  There  are  many  houses 
existing  at  the  present  time  in  the  city,  which  could  hardly  be 
duplicated  in  our  larger  cities  and  what  is  of  still  more  importance 
— IT  IS  POSSIBLE  TO  CONSTRUCT  HOUSES  IN  FARGO,  WHICH 
DEFY  ALMOST  EVERY  PROVISION  FOR  HEALTH  AND  SAFE¬ 
TY.  However,  merely  getting  ordinance  passed,  without  sufficient 
machinery  to  see  that  they  are  enforced  is  almost  worse  than  no 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


11 


laws  whatever,  hence  if  any  legislative  action  is  obtained,  provi¬ 
sion  should  likewise  be  made  for  efficient  inspection  and  enforce¬ 
ment.  There  are  no  requirements  regarding  light  and  ventilation 
in  halls  and  rooms,  vacant  spaces  in  yards  and  courts,  except  in 
so  far  as  they  are  in  connection  with  business  places,  and  are  de¬ 
clared  insanitary  by  the  health  department.  Likewise,  there  are 
at  present  NO  PROVISIONS  REGARDING  SURFACE  WATER, 
SEWER  CONNECTIONS,  SHALLOW  WELLS,  INDOOR  CLOSETS, 
NOR  THE  USE  OF  CELLARS  FOR  LIVING  PURPOSES.  Hence 
one  is  really  surprised  that  conditions  are  not  'Worse  than  they  are. 

408  DEFECTIVE  HOUSES. — RATS! 

There  are  in  the  city  of  Fargo,  2838  dwellings.  Of  this  num¬ 
ber,  2430  are  in  good  condition  (to  this  number  also  must  be  add¬ 
ed  about  125  houses,  which  are  in  the  process  of  being  construct¬ 
ed),  while  408  are  defective  .A  large  proportion  of  the  408  de¬ 
fective  houses  are  in  a  very  poor  condition — often  containing  to¬ 
tally  dark  and  ill-ventilated  rooms,,  broken  staircases,  a  mere  filthy 
excavation  for  a  cellar,  and  abounding  with  rats.  A  common  com¬ 
plaint  on  lower  Front  Street  is  that  cock-roaches  and  vermin  can 
be  kept  down,  but  that  it  seems  almost  impossible  to  do  anything 
about  the  rats,  since  the  district  abounds  with  them.  WHEN  ONE 
SEES  THE  .TYPE  OF  BUILDINGS,  AND  SEES  THE  AMOUNT  OF 
REFUSE  AND  GARBAGE,  IN  ALL  PARTS  OF  THE  CITY,  FOR 
THE  BENEFIT  OF  THE  RATS — IT  IS  SURPRISING  THAT 
THERE  ARE  NOT  MORE  OF  THEM. 

There  is  no  provision  limiting  the  amount  of  each  lot  which 
may  be  covered  by  buildings.  At  the  present  time,  there  are  about 
43  buildings  which  cover  more  than  75  per  cent  of  the  lot,  but, 
if  the  city  of  Fargo  grows  as  we  may  safely  predict  that  it  will 
grow,  this  number  will  continually  increase,  and  unless  some  pro¬ 
vision  is  made  to  nip  this  evil  before  it  reaches  any  great  propor¬ 
tions,  the  time  will  come  when  we  will  have  the  same  problems  on 
our  hands  that  other  large  cities  have  had.  In  Block  I,  “Original 
Town,”  there  is  one  50  foot  lot,  upon  which  there  are  eight  houses. 
We  are  already  reaping  the  results  of  permitting  the  city  to  grow 
up  by  following  the  lines  of  least  resistance.  Let  us  stop  any 
further  evils  by  “doing  it  now!” 

SEWER  AND  WATER  CONNECTIONS. 

One  House  in  Every  Three  Without  Sewer  or  Water. 

There  are  no  city  requirements  compelling  sewer  and  water 
connections,  and  as  a  result  many  houses  have  neither  water  nor 


12 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


sewer.  OUT  OF  APPROXIMATELY  2900  DWELLINGS  IN  THE 
CITY,  1003  OR  OVER  1-3  DO  NOT  HAVE  SEWER  CONNEC¬ 
TIONS.  And  905  houses  do  not  have  water  connections.  Prac¬ 
tically  one  house  in  every  three  in  the  city  is  not  connected  with 
water  or  sewer.  Thus  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  we  have  one  of  the 
best  water  purification  plants,  and  an  excellent  sewer  system 
only  one-third  of  the  city’s  dwellers  take  advantage  of  them.  It 
has  been  contended  by  some,  that  this  condition  will  gradually  be 
eliminated — but,  there  is  no  regulation  to  prevent  new  buildings  or 
remodled  buildings  from  having  neither  water  nor  sewer.  In  fact 
several  business  places  have  recently  been  constructed,  which  are 
not  connected  with  either.  The  extent  of  these  conditions  is  so 
great,  that  immediate  attention  is  imperative.-  (The  physical  map 
of  Fargo  shows  the  location  of  all  dwellings  not  connected  with 
water  or  sewer  mains.) 

970  OUTHOUSES. 

In  connection  with  the  matter  of  water  and  sewer,  is  another 
very  vital  problem,  e.  g.  the  extent  of  out-door  closets.  We  have 
an  ordinance  which  is  meant  to  regulate  out-door  closets,  but  in 
spite  of  that  ordinance,  there  are  in  the  city  today  970  outhouses. 
Think  of  it!  Out  of  a  total  of  2900  dwellings!  While  at  best, 
such  conditions  are  undesirable,  with  the  least  carelessness  they 
become  a  positive  menace,  and  when  we  stop  to  consider  the  fact 
that  out  of  these  970  nuisances  in  the  city  of  Fargo,  105  are  in  a 
very  bad  and  insanitary  condition — the  gravity  of  the  situation 
cannot  but  appeal  to  us,  and  compel  us  to  realize  the  need  of  im¬ 
mediate  action.  In  addition  to  the  970  outhouses  mentioned,  must 
be  added  the  fact  that  there  are  243  dwellings  and  apartment 
houses  that  have  toilet  facilities  in  common  with  others. 

Every  dwelling  in  the  city  of  Fargo  should  be  connected  with 
sewer  and  water  and  have  modern  plumbing  installed  at  once. 
Many  property  owners  when  approached  regarding  the  matter  have 
excused  themselves  saying:  “Oh,  this  building  is  so  old  that  it 
does  not  pay  to  put  any  improvements  into  it.’’ 

CAN  THE  PEOPLE  OF  THIS  CITY  AFFORD  TO  ALLOW 
DWELLING  HOUSES  TO  REMAIN  IN  THEIR  MIDST,  WHICH 
ARE  SO  DILAPIDATED  THAT  THEY  ARE  NOT  WORTH  BEING 
MADE  SANITARY? 

There  are  likewise  in  the  city  153  dwellings  whcih  do  not 
have  proper  lighting  and  ventilation.  In  some  cases  this  is  due 
to  the  fact  that  there  are  rooms,  having  no  outside  windows,  in 
other  cases,  to  the  fact  that  the  buildings  are  so  close  to  each  other 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  U. 


13 


that  lighting  and  ventilation  are  impossible.  What  makes  this  of 
especial  gravity  is  the  fact  that  these  conditions  exist  where  the 
population  is  most  congested.  Many  of  the  worst  constructed 
buildings,  take  large  numbers  of  roomers  and  lodgers,  add¬ 
ing  to  their  already  too  congested  conditions,  the  dangers  attend¬ 
ing  a  transient  class  of  men. 

FLIES  BREED  IN  MANURE. 

One  does  not  usually  connect  the  extensive  keeping  of  live 
stock  with  cities,  yet  often  there  are  many  to  be  found.  In  Fargo 
there  are  467  families  keeping  live  stock,  consisting  of  cows  and 
horses,  while  in  some  cases  chickens  have  been  counted;  this  latter 
however  depended  upon  the  conditions  and  number  kept.  Of  the 
46  7  recorded,  83  places  were  kept  in  bad  condition,  polluting  the 
air  of  the  surrounding  community,  and  increasing  the  possibilities 
for  breeding  flies.  It  is  surprising  how  little  care  is  taken  to  pre¬ 
vent  manure  and  filth  from  accumulating,  or  for  taking  care  of  it 

by  spraying  it  to  prevent  flies  from  breeding.  Chloride  of  Lime 
thrown  into  a  manure  box  ,  or  loose  manure  sprayed  with  a  solu-, 
tion  of  one  ounce  of  Carbolic  acid  to  one  quart  of  crude  kerosene, 
about  three  times  a  week  will  prevent  flies  from  breeding. 

Some  of  the  worst  places  are  right  in  the  heart  of  the  city 

and  our  city  is  small  enough  that  the  places  do  not  need  special 

mention  in  this  report.  The  odors  are  so  decided,  that  any  one 
passing  along  the  street  may  notice  them.  There  is  no  need  of 
permitting  livery  barns  or  other  stables  to  allow  filth  and  manure 
to  accumulate  in  the  alleys.  They  should  be  compelled  to  haul  it 
away  from  day  to  day,  or  else  keep  it  in  tight  boxes,  which  could 
be  sprayed  and  kept  from  becoming  fly  incubators.  “WHAT  ARE 
WE  GOING  TO  DO  ABOUT  IT!” 

GAS,  FUMES  AND  SMOKE. 

Fargo  is  not  yet  such  an  extensive  manufacturing  city,  that  the 
problem  of  smoke  and  fumes  is  a  very  serious  matter.  But  why 
should  we  not  meet  and  deal  with  that  problem  before  it  reaches 
such  proportions  that  it  becomes  a  menace?  We  expect  Fargo  to 
grow.  Other  cities  have  found  that  the  smoke  problem  is  one  of 
the  first  great  problems  with  which  they  find  themselves  face  to 
face.  In  many  cities  it  has  grown  to  such  proportions,  that  it  is 
well  nigh  beyond  their  control.  With  our  railroads  passing  thru 
the  heart  of  the  city  as  they  do,  and  industrial  establishments 
springing  up  on  every  hand,  the  problem  is  already  with  us.  There 
are  already  253  (dwelling  houses  in  the  city  where  the  smoke  or 


14  SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 

fumes  has  tecome  a  decided  nuisance.  Now  if  ever  is  the  time  to 
take  steps  to  abate  these  nuisances. 

SUMMARY  OF  HOUSING  SURVEY. 

1.  No.  of  houses  in  good  condition _ _ 2430 

2.  No.  of  houses  in  defective  condition _ 408 

3.  No.  of  houses  containing  more  than  one  family _ 170 

4.  No.  of  cellar  and  basement  dwellings _ 607 

5.  No.  of  houses  covering  50  per  cent  of  lot _ 323 

6.  No.  of  houses  covering  75  per  cent  of  lot _ _ _  43 

7.  No.  of  yards  in  good  condition  _ 2491 

8.  No.  of  yards  in  bad  condition - - - 415 

9.  No.  of  families  having  but  one  room _ 1 _  38 

10.  No.  of  families  having  but  2  room _  85 

11.  No.  of  families  having  but  3  room  _ _  84 

12.  No.  of  houses  without  sewer  connections  _ 1003 

13.  No.  of  houses  lacking  toilet  facilities _ 243 

14.  No.  of  houses  lacking  water  connections _ 905 

15.  No.  of  houses  with  outdoor  closets,  fair  condition _ 865 

16.  No.  of  houses  with  outdoor  closets,  bad  condition _ 105 

17.  No.  of  houses  lacking  proper  light  and  ventilation _ 153 

18.  No.  of  apartment  houses  lacking  fire  escapes  _ _ _  17 

19.  Places  keeping  live  stock  (conditions  fair  to  good) _ 384 

20.  Places  keeping  live  stock,  conditions  bad _  83 

21.  Places  where  air  is  poisoned  by  smoke  or  fumes  etc _ 253 

22.  No.  families  taking  roomers  or  boarders _ 745 

2  3.  No.  houses  where  garbage  is  dumped  in  yard  or  alley _ 351 

24.  No.  cellars  in  bad  condition _ 187 

25.  No.  alleys  in  bad  conditions _ _ _ _ i _ . _  56 

LODGING  HOUSES  AND  HOTELS 

Number  of  rooms  lacking  proper  light  and  ventilation _ ^ _ 107 

Number  of  places  lacking  fire  escapes _ : _ _ _ 20 

Number  without  sewer  connections  _ _ _  13 

Number  without  water  connections _ • _ _ _  12 

Number  lacking  proper  toilet  facilities  _ _ 8 

Number  with  out-houses  _  11 

Number  with  courts  in  bad  condition _ 19 

Number  with  alleys  in  bad  condition _ _ _ 22 

Number  lacking  refrigerators  _ 3 

Number  with  kitchens  in  bad  condition _ ^ _ ^ _ _ _ _  14 

Number  re-serving  food  ^ _ ; _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 17 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


15 


RESTAURANTS  AND  LUNCH  COUNTERS 

Number  of  buildings  in  bad  condition - - - - -  4 

Number  of  courts  in  bad  condition - —  5 

Number  of  alleys  in  bad  condition _  5 

Number  of  basements  in  bad  condition _ : -  3 

Number  of  kitchens  in  bad  condition _  14 

Number  of  kitchens  lacking  refrigerators _  2 

Number  re-serving  food _ _ _  9 

Number  lacking  proper  light  and  ventilation _ 5 

GROCERIES,  CONFECTIONARY  STORES  AND  MEAT  MARKETS 

Number  of  buildings  in  bad  condition -  15 

Number  of  courts  in  bad  condition  -  15 

Number  of  alleys  in  bad  condition _  11 

Number  with  show  cases  in  bad  condition _  8 

Number  with  goods  in  bad  condition _  7 

Number  with  refrigerators  in  bad  condition _  12 

Number  with  basements  in  bad  condition _  13 

Number  with  store  rooms  in  bad  condition _  8 

Number  lacking  proper  light  and  ventilation _ 29 

OTHER  STORES  AND  OFFICES 

Number  of  buildings  in  bad  condition _ _ _ ’ _  43 

Number  of  courts  and  alleys  in  bad  condition  _  84 

Number  of  show  cases  in  bad  condition _ 17 

Number  of  basements  in  bad  condition _  19 

Number  having  goods  in  bad  condition _  16 

Number  of  store  rooms  in  bad  condition _ _ 17 

Number  lacking  proper  light  and  ventilation  _ 182 

The  above  study  of  housing  conditions  discloses  the  follow¬ 
ing  special  needs: 

1.  Provisions  requiring  all  houses  to  be  connected  with  sewer 
and  water  systems  of  the  city. 

2.  Complete  elimination  of  the  970  outdoor  closets. 

3.  Proper  care  of  all  livestock  and  the  adoption  of  a  sanitary 
method  of  disposing  of  all  manure  and  refuse. 

4.  Control  of  the  smoke  nuisance  before  it  reaches  uncontrol- 
able  proportions. 

5.  Building  code,  limiting  the  amount  of  lot  which  can  be 
built  upon. 

6.  Provision  against  the  construction  of  dwellings  lacking 
proper  lighting  and  ventilating  facilities. 


16 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


PUBLIC  UTILITIES. 

The  rapid  development  of  public  utilities  and  their  proper 
management  and  control  is  becoming  of  ever  increasing  importance. 
Formerly  keeping  up  the  highways  and  bridges  was  the  extent  to 
which  a  town  was  compelled  to  go.  To  this  was  soon  added 
sewage  and  garbage  disposal,  the  water  supply,  fire  protection, 
lighting  of  streets,  the  problem  of  local  transportation  and  control 
of  street  traffic.  In  fact  municipal  life  has  become  so  complicated 
and  so  dependant  upon  the  services  of  these  various  utilities  that 
the  failure  of  any  one  to  function  properly  will  affect  the  life  of 
the  entire  community,  and  may  result  in  untold  hardship. 

STREETS  AND  LOCAL  TRANSPORTATIONS. 

The  composition  of  the  soil  of  the  Red  River  Valley,  while 
ideal  for  wheat  raising,  is  anything  by  ideal  for  road-beds.  Fargo 
has  some  very  excellent  streets  and  avenues,  but  there  are  also  a 
great  many  streets  which  are  in  deplorable  condition  during  cer¬ 
tain  seasons  of  the  year.  Often  there  dirt  streets  are  permitted 
to  get  into  worse  conditions  than  ordinary  country  roads,  but  as 
rapidly  as  is  possible,  new  pavement  is  being  put  in.  This  year  a 
new  pavement  is  being  laid  on  Broadway,  between  the  N  .P.  and 
G.  N.  tracks.  Several  other  streches  of  pavement  are  being  con 
structed  this  summer  (1915)  which  are  not  included  in  the  table 
given  below. 

Amounts  and  types  of  paving,  May  1st,  1915. 

Type  Linear  feet 

Bithulithic _ - _  _ 15,043 

Bithulithic  Concrete _ 24,875 

Creosoted  Wood  Block  _ 12,228 

*  Cedar  Block  _ 5,412 

Portland  Cement  Concrete _ 1,311 

Vitrified  Brick _ 4,335 

Brick  Pavements  of  Fargo  Moorhead  St.  RR.  Co. 

*Some  of  this  has  since  been  repaved. 

The  streets  of  Fargo,  as  a  whole  are  well  located,  and  have 
the  added  advantage  of  varying  in  width,  in  accordance  with  their 
use,  thus  Broadway,  is  exceptionally  wide  in  the  business  section, 
where  the  greatest  congestion  is  apt  to  occur.  There  is  however, 
one  pressing  need,  namely  a  viaduct  at  the  crossing  of  the  N.  P. 
tracks.  The  Railway,  passing  as  it  does  thru  the  heart  of  the 
business  district,  is  becoming  an  increasing  annoyance  and  danger 


Square  yds. 
51,277 
89,073 
63,607 
28,632 
2,831 
23,490 
12,123 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OP  FARGO,  N.  D. 


17 


as  the  city  increases  in  size.  The  time  is  coming  when  it  will  be 
imperative  that  either  a  viaduct  be  constructed  or  the  tracks  raised 
above  the  street  level,  and  this  should  be  done  before  it  is  forced 
by  some  irreparable  accident. 

350  BAD  ALLEYS. 

Paved  streets  and  paved  alleys  are  taken  care  of  by  the  city 
in  a  very  efficient  manner,  but  all  other  alleys  are  treated  as  pri¬ 
vate  property,  and  must  be  attended  to  by  the  owners,  in  a  man¬ 
ner  prescribed  by  the  Health  Department.  While  the  alleys  are 
to  be  treated  as  private  property,  it  does  not  necessarily  mean 
that  any  individual  should  treat  the  alley  as  tho  he  were  the  sole 
owner  of  it,  and  as  tho  it  were  located  far  out  in  the  counrty.  Yet 
this  seems  to  be  the  attitude  of  some.  DURING  THE  GREATER 
PART  OF  THE  YEAR,  OVER  350  CITY  DWELLERS  THREW 
THEIR  GARBAGE  AND  REFUSE  INTO  THE  ALLEY.  This  was 
also  true  in  some  cases,  where  horses  or  cows  were  kept,  in  which 
the  alley  was  often  turned  into  a  manure  yard — without  any  re¬ 
gard  for  other  people  living  in  the  vicinity,  not  to  speak  of  the 
community  in  general. 

LOCAL  TRANSPORTATION. 

Local  transportation  is  taken  care  of  by  dray  and  transfer 
lines,  hack  and  auto  service  and  by  street  cars.  For  a  short  time 
this  spring  “Jitney  Busses”  were  run  largely  in  competition  with 
the  Street  Car  Lines.  For  a  time  there  was  no  city  regulation  of 
these  “auto  busses”,  and  a  large  number  of  them  sprang  into 
existance.  But  somewhat  later,  in  addition  to  the  license,  a  bond 
of  $10,000.00  was  required,  consequently,  the  number  was  cut 
down,  and  it  was  necessary  to  raise  the  price  for  carrying  the 
public. 

Fargo,  likewise,  has  a  street  car  line  which  makes  a  loop 
about  both  the  north  and  south  sides,  and  extends  to  Moorhead 
and  Dilworth.  The  greatest  dissatisfaction  registered  against  the 
company  is  in  regard  to  the  infrequency  of  the  cars.  The  street 
car  is  the  regular  vehicle  of  transportation  for  working  people. 
Others  may  have  private  means  of  transportation,  but  because  of 
the  infrequency  of  cars  in  residence  districts,  the  street  cars  prove 
very  inadequate  for  the  class  especially  deserving  it.  In  winter 
the  matter  is  agravated,  when  shop-girls  and  school  girls  are  com¬ 
pelled  either  to  start  for  their  days  work  much  earlier  than  would 
otherwise  be  necessary  ,or  if  a  car  is  missed,  wait  in  the  cold  from 
15  to  30  minutes  for  another  car. 


18 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


It  is  contended  that  the  Street  Railway  Co.  cannot  give  better 
service  without  loss  to  the  company.  But  there  are  many  other 
municipalities  which  are  no  larger  than  the  combined  cities  of 
Moorhead  and  Fargo,  which  do  have  far  better  service.  If  the  St. 
Ry.  Co.  cannot  give  the  best  service,  might  it  not  he  possible  for 
the  city  of  Fargo  ,to  take  over  the  street  car  lines  and  utilize  the 
available  water  power  which  is  now  going  to  waste? 

Section  of  the  privileges  granted  to  the  Street  Ry.  by  an  or¬ 
dinance  o  fthe  City  Council  of  Fargo,  Nov.  1,  1912. 

“Sec.  1.  The  Fargo  and  Moorhead  Street  Railway  Co.,  a  N. 
D.  corporation  its  lesses,  successors  and  assigns,  are  given  the  priv¬ 
ileges  for  twenty-five  years  to  use  assigned  streets.  Any  other 
street  may  be  used,  if  a  map  of  the  proposed  extensions  is  filed  with 
the  city  engineer,  and  is  approved  by  the  city  council. 

Sec.  2.  Power  must  be  transmitted  by  single  overhead  trol¬ 
ley.  Any  motive  power  except  steam  may  be  used.  In  case  of 
necessity  animal  power  may  be  used. 

Sec.  3.  The  track  shall  be  4  feet,  8  y2  inches  wide.  The  rails 
must  weigh,  at  least  48  lbs.  to  the  yard.  The  track  and  18”  must 
be  kept  in  good  order.  Must  be  paved  with  same  material  as  the 
street. 

Any  damage  must  be  replaced. 

Rates  must  be  5  cents  for  one  continuous'  ride. 

If  sold  in  blocks  of  $1.00  rates  for  students  to  be  4c. 

Street  cars  to  be  modernly  equipped,  must  carry  mail  or  bag¬ 
gage  at  reasonable  charges. 

The  franchise  covers  a  period  of  25  years. 

On  week  days  cars  must  be  operated  from  6  A.  M.  to  12  P.  M. 

On  Sunday  from  7  A.  M.  to  11  P.  M. 

The  cars  must  run  at  least  every  24  minutes  on  loop  lines,  and 
every  36  minutes  on  other  lines  of  the  system. 

The  failure  to  comply  with  these  regulations,  which  constitute 
the  main  part  of  the  agreement,  cancels  franchise  upon  60  days 
notice.” 


SEWAGE  AND  GARBAGE  DISPOSAL. 

Fargo  has  a  well  constructed  sewer  system,  which  on  the 
whole  has  proved  superior,  and  causes  less  trouble  than  is  the 
case  in  many  cities.  There  are  times  when  some  basement  closets 
are  back  flooded  but,  these  cases  are  rare,  and  practically  unavoid¬ 
able,  because  of  the  topographical  conditions.  There  is  no  sewage 
disposal  plant,  the  sewers  empty  into  the  Red  River,  below  the 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


19 


dam,  and  about  a  mile  below  the  intake.  Thus  the  water  supply 
of  the  city  is  not  endangered  by  the  disposal  of  the  sewage. 

The  sewer  system  does  not  cover  all  of  the  outlying  districts 
of  the  city,  but  is  rapidly  being  extended  to  all  the  outlying  districts 
As  above  stated,  the  most  crying  needs  at  present  are  (1)  TO  COM¬ 
PEL  ALL  HOUSES  ADJACENT  TO  STREETS  CONTAINING 
SEWER  TO  CONNECT  THEREWITH,  AND  (2)  TO  EXTEND  THE 
SEWER  MAINS  INTO  THE  CONGESTED  SECTION  ON  LOWER 
FRONT  STREET.  (See  map  of  city.) 

The  only  possible  excuse  for  the  existence  of  1000  dwellings 
being  without  sewer  connections,  out  of  approximately  2900,  is 
that  there  has  not  yet  been  time  to  do  so.  But  it  is  in  the  older 
parts  of  the  city  where  these  conditions  are  most  prevalent,  altho 
not  entirely,  for  one  can  see  by  the  “City  Map”,  that  dwellings 
lacking  sewer  connections,  and  having  ‘out  door  closets’  exist  in 
the  very  heart  of  the  best  residence  sections.  Hence  we  see,  that 
the  problem  is  not  one  confined  to  a  small  portion  of  the  city,  but 
to  the  city  as  a  whole.  LETS  MAKE  FARGO  THE  CLEANEST 
CITY  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES! 

The  problem  of  disposing  of  the  Garbage  is  one  of  the  biggest 
problems  which  confronts  a  growing  city,  and  since  Fargo  is  grow¬ 
ing  with  ever  increasing  rapidity,  the  problem  of  garbage  disposal 
is  an  ever  increasing  problem.  Up  until  the  passage  of  the  ordi¬ 
nance  cited  below,  the  problem  of  garbage  disposal  was  left  to 
individuals  and  private  companies.  The  garbage  was  collected  in 
open  wagons,  and  the  rounds  made  once  a  week  in  residence  di¬ 
stricts,  and  every  day  in  the  business  sections.  A  charge  of  25c 
was  made  per  can  full.  This  method  has  proven  very  inadequate. 
Individuals,  permitted  garbage  to  accumulate  till  the  can  was  full 
to  overflowing;  made  crude  attempts  to  burn  garbage  in  the  alley; 
dumped  it  in  the  back  yard  or  alley.  Of  this  latter  class  there 
were  350  parties,  and  like  those  lacking  sewer  connections,  not 
confined  to  one  district,  but  thoroughly  distributed  in  every  part  of 
the  city.  The  matter  became  so  pressing  that  various  organiza¬ 
tions  took  the  matter  up.  The  people  making  this  City  Survey, 
agitated  the  matter,  and  special  requests  were  sent  in  to  the  Com¬ 
mission.  An  incinerator  was  voted  down  at  a  recent  city  elec¬ 
tion  but,  it  was  perhaps  due  to  the  fact  that  it  was  tied  up  with 
other  provisions  which  a  majority  of  voters  did  not  wish  to  sup¬ 
port.  The  following  garbage  ordinance  is  in  effect  at  the  present 
time,  as  a  result  of  this  recent  agitation,  but,  has  not  yet  had  a 
chance  to  prove  its  worth. 


20 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


ORDINANCE  AS  PASSED  MAY  21,  1915. 

“Accumulation  of  Garbage  in  City  Limits  Prohibited. 

“Section  1.  No  person  or  persons  shall  permit  or  suffer  to 
accumulate  in  or  about  any  yard,  lot,  place  or  premises,  or  upon 
any  street,  sidewalk  adjacent  or  abutting  upon  any  lot,  block,  lace 
or  premises  owned  and  occupied  by  huim  or  them,  or  for  which 
her  or  they  may  be  agent  or  agents,  within  the  city  limits,  refuse 
vegetables,  decayed  or  decaying  substances,  garbage  or  filth  of  any 
kind,  not  suffer  such  yard,  lot,  place  or  premises  to  be  or  remain 
in  such  condition. 

GARBAGE  DEFINED. 

Section  2.  “The  word  “garbage’'  wherever  it  occurs  in  this 
ordinance  shall  be  construed  to  mean  all  manner  of  kitchen  or 
table  refuse,  and  offal  including  decayed  or  spoiled  fruit,  animal  or 
vegetable  matter. 


GARBAGE  CAN. 

Section  3.  “Every  owner  or  occupant  of  any  house,  hotel, 
restaurant,  building,  flat,  apartment  or  tenement  in  this  city, 
where  persons  reside,  board  or  lodge,  or  wheje  animal  or  vege¬ 
table  food  is  prepared,  or  served,  shall  provide  for  such  house, 
hotel,  restaurant,  building,  flat,  apartment  or  tenement  building, 
one  such  vessel  for  each  floor,  flat,  apartment  of  story  of  such 
building,  and  if  such  floor,  flat,  apartment  of  story  be  occupied 
by  more  than  five  persons,  than  one  of  such  vessels  for  each  addi¬ 
tional  five  persons.  Every  occupant,  tenant,  or  person  in  charge 
of  such  house,  hotel,  restaurant,  building,  flat,  apartment  or  tene¬ 
ment,  shall  cause  to  be  deposited  in  such  vessel,  all  garbage  pro¬ 
duced  in  or  brought  therein  as  soon  as  the  same  is  produced  or 
brought  therein.  Such  vessel  for  garbage  shall  be  water  tight, 
and  made  of  metal  with  a  close-fitting  metal  cover,  and  shall  have  a 
capacity  of  not  less  than  ten  or  more  than  twenty  gallons,  which 
garbage  receptles  should  be  so  place.d  on  the  premises  under  the 
direction  of  the  commissioner  of  health  as  to  be  easily  accessbile 
to  the  garbage  collector. 

WHAT  MAY  BE  PLACED  IN  GARBAGE  CANS. 

eSc.  4.  “It  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  person  or  persons  to 
mix  or  in  the  same  vessel  or  in  the  same  vessel  or  receptacle,  ashes, 
manure  or  other  such  substance,  with  any  kitchen  garbage  intended 
for  delivery  to  a  scavenger  or  other  persons  shall  haul  or  cart 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


21 


away  from  any  house,  place  or  premises  any  mixture  of  garbage  or 
filth  as  aforesaid,  without  the  written  order  of  the  commissioner 
of  health. 

GARBAGE  SHALL  BE  REMOVED. 

Sec.  5.  “All  garbage  receptacles  shall  be  emptied  and  the 
contents  thereof  removed  by  the  garbage  collector  as  often  as  such 
receptacles  become  full,  and  in  case  of  private  residences,  at  inter¬ 
vals  of  not  more  than  twice  a  week,  and  in  case  of  hotels  of  twenty 
rooms  or  more,  once  each  day,  between  the  1st  day  of  May,  and 
the  1st  day  of  October,  and  during  other  months  of  the  year,  the 
garbage  shall  be  removed  at  least  once  each  week. 

WHO  MAY  REMOVE. 

Sec.  6.  “It  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  person,  firm  or  corpo¬ 
ration,  or  any  agent  or  employee  thereof  to  haul,  carry  or  convey, 
through,  along  or  upon  any  public  street,  alley  or  sidewalk,  within 
the  city  of  Fargo,  any  garbage  as  classified  under  this  ordinance, 
except  the  city  scavenger  or  such  other  persons  as  may  be  author¬ 
ized  by  the  health  commissioner. 

GARBAGE  WAGON. 

Sec.  7.  “All  wagons  used  for  the  collection  and  removal  of 
garbage  shall  be  fitted  with  a  good  substantial  water  tight  street 
tank,  with  a  close-fitting  top  so  as  to  prevent  the  escaping  of  any 
of  the  contents  therefrom  and  shall  have  the  words  “garbage 
wagon”  plainly  painted  thereon,  so  as  to  legible  at  least  eight 
feet.  All  such  wagons  shall  be  thoroughly  cleaned  and  disinfected 
at  least  twice  a  week  and  such  wagons  shall  not  remain  a  longer 
time  at  any  one  place  than  is  absolutely  necessary  for  the  loading, 
and  shall  not  be  permitted  to  stop  or  stand  at  any  public  place. 

GARBAGE  CONTRACT. 

Sec.  8.  “If  it  shall  be  deemed  advisable  by  the  Board  of 
City  Commissioners,  the  auditor  shall  advertise  for  bids,  which 
notice  shall  be  published  twice,  once  each  week  in  the  official 
newspaper  of  the  City  of  Fargo  for  such  number  of  men,  wagons 
and  teams  as  the  commissioners  or  board  of  health  may  designate. 
Each  bid  shall  be  accompanied  by  a  certified  check  in  the  sum  of 
$6.00  payable  to  the  order  of  the  City  Treasurer,  which  check 
shall  be  forfeited  to  the  city  if  the  successful  bidder  fails  to  enter 
into  a  contract  with  the  City  of  Fargo,  and  give  bond  as  provided 
in  this  ordinance. 


22 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


The  contract  or  contracts,  as  may  be,  shall  be  awarded  to  the 
lowest  bidder  or  bidders  if  to  be  let  by  competitive  bids.  The 
person  or  persons  obtained  such  contract  from  said  city  shall  exe¬ 
cute  a  bond  to  the  City  of  Fargo,  in  such  sum  as  the  city  com¬ 
missioners  may  provide,  which  shall  be  at  least  double  the  amount 
of  the  contract  price,  with  sureties  as  shall  be  approved  by  the 
president  of  the  Board  of  City  Commissioners  for  the  full  and  faith¬ 
ful  preformance  of  all  the  agreements  of  said  contract,  and  a 
complete  compliance  with  this  ordinance. 

DUTY  OF  HEALTH  BOARD. 

Sec.  9.  “It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  commissioner  of  health 
of  the  city  of  Fargo,  to  make  such  rules  as  he  may  deem  neces¬ 
sary,  to  regulate,  enforce  and  carry  out  the  provisions  of  this 
ordinance. 

OTHER  FOREIGN  MATTER,  HOW  REMOVED. 

Sec.  10.  “Manure,  ashes  and  such  other  foreign  matters,  not 
included  as  garbage  in  this  ordinance  and  which  is  detrimental  to 
the  health  and  cleanliness  of  the  city,  may  be  removed  by  the  city 
or  by  such  persons  as  they  may  designate  as  often  as  it  is  deemed 
necessary  by  the  commissioner  of  health,  and  the  expense  thereof 
shall  be  assessed  up  to  the  property  especially  benefited  thereby, 
in  the  manner  as  provided  for  the  assessment  of  sidewalk  repairs. 

GARBAGE  FUND. 

Sec.  11.  “All  work  done  under  the  provisions  of  this  ord¬ 
inance  shall  be  under  the  direction  of  the  commissioner  of  health, 
at  the  expense  of  the  city,  and  a  fund  shall  be  provided  therefor 
by  general  taxation  to  be  known  as  the  garbage  fund,  except  when 
it  is  necessary  to  remove  garbage  oftener  than  twice  each  week 
under  the  provision  of  this  ordinance,  the  expense  thereof  shall 
be  paid  by  the  owner  or  tenant  of  said  premises  forthwith  upon  de¬ 
mand,  and  upon  the  failure  so  to  do  said  expense  shall  be  assessed 
up  to  the  property  especially  benefited  thereby  in  the  manner 
provided  for  the  assessment  of  sidewalk  repairs. 

PENALTY. 

Sec.  12.  “Any  person  violating  any  of  the  provisions  of  this 
ordinance  shall  be  punished  by  a  fine  of  not  less  than  five  dollars 
($5.00)  nor  more  than  one  hundred  dollars  ($100.00)  for  each  and 
every  offense,  or  by  imprisonment  not  exceeding  thirty  days,  or 
both  such  fine  and  imprisonment  in  the  direction  of  the  court. 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


23 


Sec.  13.  All  ordinances  or  parts  of  ordinances  in  conflict 
with  the  provisions  of  this  ordinance  are  hereby  repealed. 

This  ordinance  shall  take  effect  and  be  in  force  ten  days  from 
and  after  its  final  passage  and  publication.” 

940  DWELLINGS  NOT  CONNECTED  WITH  WATER  MAINS. 

The  source  of  the  city  water  supply  is  the  Red  River.  The 
city  has  one  of  the  finest  water  purification  plant  and  pumping 
station  in  the  Northwest*  and  equipped  for  supplying  the  needs  of 
a  population  of  40,000.  The  water  thus  purified  and  pumped  into 
the  mains  is  of  the  very  finest  quality,  but  as  elsewhere  stated,  is 
not  taken  the  fullest  advantage  of  by  the  city  dwellers.  While 
there  are  still  portions  of  the  city  where  the  mains  do  not  extent, 
a  glance  at  the  City  Map  will  show  the  extent  of  the  mains,  and 
the  great  number  of  houses  situated  along  them  which  are  still 
unconnected.  There  are  about  2  600  water  consumers  in  the  city 
— BUT  THERE  ARE  STILL  940  DWELLINGS  NOT  CONNECTED 
WITH  CITY  WATER.  The  city  is  able  to  take  care  of  these. 
Many  still  use  the  unfiltered  water  from  the  Red  River,  for  all 
but  drinking  purposes.  When  the  city  demands  that  all  unsanitary 
out-houses  be  done  away  with,  the  water  situation  will  likewise  be 
greatly  improved. 

Another  source  of  city  water  is  from  Artesian  wells,  which  is 
delivered  to  all  parts  of  the  city  and  Pokegama  water  used  for 
drinking  purposes.  The  comsumption  of  water  per  capital  in  Fargo 
is  about  130  gal.  per  day. 

The  flat  rates  are: 

Per  quarter  $2.75,  house  tap  and  kitchen  tap. 

Per  quarter  $5.50,  bath,  toilet  and  house  tap. 

Per  quarter  $6.50,  bath,  2  toilets  and  house  use. 

Meter  rates,  are  $0.15  per  thousand  gallons  with  a  service 
rate  of: 

$0.40  per  month  for  5-8  in  meter. 

$0.60  per  month  for  3-4  in  meter. 

$1.00  per  month  for  1  in  meter. 

$1.50  per  month  for  iy2  in  meter. 

There  is  an  effort  being  made  to  have  all  householders  put  in 
meters,  the  cost  being  actually  lower  for  dwelling  houses,  than  a 
flat  rate.  There  has  also  been  a  recent  change  in  the  poliyc  of 
handling  the  water  works  finances.  Formerly  the  city  was  per¬ 
mitted  the  use  of  water  for  various  municipal  purposes  free  of 
charge,  but  by  a  referendum,  the  people  voted  to  charge  the  city 
for  water  thus  used,  just  as  a  private  comsumer  would  be. 


24 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


FIRE  PROTECTION. 


Fargo  has  a  very  adequate  fire  department,  and  its  efficiency  is 
shown  by  the  control  it  has  had  on  the  situation  in  spite  of  the 
dangerous  conditions  existing  in  many  parts  of  the  city;  such  as 
old  delapidated  wooden  buildings  in  every  congested  quarter, 
piles  of  old  lumber  and  rubbish,  as  are  found  back  of  many  houses, 
bill  boards,  etc.,  and  a  general  attitude  of  carlessness  on  the  part 
of  the  people. 

A  comparison  of  our  fire-fighting  equipment  with  that  of 
Grand  Forks  is  as  follows: 


FARGO 

2  city  service  trucks. 
4  hose  wagons. 

1  steam  engine. 

1  aerial  ladder  truck. 

15  men  employed. 


GRAND  FORKS 

1  city  service  truck. 

2  hose  wagons. 

1  steam  engine. 

7  men  employed. 


However,  the  fact  that  we  have  a  well  equipped  department 
does  not  insure  us  against  any  great  conflagration.  Unless  we  take 
great  efforts  to  illiminate  some  of  our  existing  conditions,  we  are 
liable  to  have  a  fire  some  day,  which  no  department  can  control. 

LIGHTING. 


The  lighting  system  of  Fargo  are  owned  by  a  private  com¬ 
pany,  the  Union  Light,  Heat  and  Power  Company.  The  electric 
light  service  is  excellent  altho  the  rates  differ  somewhat  when 
compared  with  our  neighboring  cities.  The  rates  are  as  follows: 

For  1st  100  K.  W.  H.  Fargo  11c. 

For  1st  100  K.  W.  H.  Grand  Forks,  9c. 

For  1st  100  K.  W.  H.  Moorhead,  8c. 

For  1st  100  K.  W.  H.  Fergus  Falls,  7c. 

With  a  10  per  cent  reduction  in  all  cases  when  paid  cash  or  within 
a  limited  time.  The  gas  and  the  heating  plant  are  likewise  owned 
by  the  same  Union  Light,  Heat  and  Power  Company.  Most  of  the 
business  houses  on  Broadway  are  heated  from  the  Central  plant,  in 
all  78  business  houses  are  heated  by  the  Company.  This  is  a  much 
more  efficient  method  of  heating  than  by  individual  plants.  The 
meter-rate  is  $0.65  per  thousand  pound  of  steam. 

OTHER  PUBLIC  UTILITIES. 

There  is  an  urgent  need  for  a  new  postoffice.  The  present 
business  having  outgrown  the  quarters  available.  A  site  for  a 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


25 


new  building  has  been  purchased  to  the  rear  of  the  present  build¬ 
ing,  but  not  much  more  has  been  done. 

The  present  building  is  entirely  too  small.  During  rush  sea¬ 
sons  it  is  necessary  to  use  the  court-room  upstairs  to  handle  the 
parcel  post. 

The  telegraph  service  of  Fargo  is  excellent.  Western  Union 
and  the  Postal  Telegraph  give  Fargo  the  best  service  of  any  city 
of  its  size  in  the  world.  It  can  be  compared  to  cities  of  from 
200,000  to  3000,000  inhabitants.  It  has  the  largest  relay  office 
of  any  city  between  the  “Twin  Cities”  and  the  western  coast.  There 
are  50  employes  the  year  round. 

There  are  three  telephone  systems  in  the  city,  the  Bell  Co., 
owning  the  local  system,  the  Northwestern  telephone  Exchagne 
Co.,  haying  the  long  distance  system  and  the  American  Telephone 
and  telegraph  Co.,  having  a  long  distance  system.  There  is  one 
telephone  for  every  five  persons  in  the  city,  which  is  an  excep¬ 
tionally  high  percentage. 

PUBLIC  BUILDINGS. 

There  are  19  public  buildings  inclusive  of  the  9  public  School 
buildings.  Auditorium,  valued  at  $92,000,  in  the  heart  of  the  city: 
Post  Office,  $150,000;  Court  House,  $120,000;  City  Hall  $50,000; 
Masonic  Temple,  $1250,000;  Y.  M.  C.  A.  $80,000;  Three  libraries, 
$250,000;  Filtration  Plant  $200,000;  Public  Schools  $550,000. 
There  is  in  addition  a  central  market  open  in  summer  for  vegetables 
and  at  times  in  winter  and  autumn,  for  meats  and  poultry.  The 
city  has  purchased  additional  property  and  the  central  market  will 
be  enlarged  to  meet  the  needs  of  this  rapidly  growing  community. 

Fargo  is  much  freer  of  unsightly  posts  than  many  cities.  The 
telephone  lines  are  all  under  ground.  Electric  light  posts,  are  how¬ 
ever  used  on  all  streets.  In  the  business  section  these  have  been 
replaced  by  ornamental  lamp  posts,  making  Fargo  a  most  beautifully 
lighted  city.  Unsightly  cloth  signs  are  prohibited  and  we  trust  the 
time  is  near  when  a  ban  will  be  put  on  Bill  boards. 

There  are  3450  linear  feet  of  Bill  boards  in  the  city  and  they 
not  only  detract  from  the  beauty  of  the  city,  but,  serve  as  a  place 
for  gathering  refuse  and  debris,  adding  to  the  city’s  untidiness  and 
giving  it  an  unsightly  appearance. 

DISEASE  AND  HEALTH  MEASURES. 

The  first  necessity  to  insure  the  health  of  any  community,  is 
a  thorough  cooperation  of  all  the  people,  and  especially  of  physicians. 


26 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


The  duty  in  regard  to  such  matters  is  clearly  specified  in  North 
Dakota. 

“Whenever  it  shall  come  to  the  knowledge  of  any  physician  or 
other  person  that  a  case  of  tuberculosis,  typhoid  fever  or  any  other 
dangerous  infectious  disease  exists  within  the  jurisdiction  of  any 
county  or  city  board  of  health  he  shall  immediately  report  to  the 
superintendent  of  the  County  Board  of  Health  or  to  the  City  Health 
Officer  in  whichever  jurisdiction  the  case  may  be,  the  name  and 
place  of  residence  if  known,  of  every  person  afflicted  with  such 
disease,  and  if  he  is  attending  physician  of  such  person  he  shall 
report  not  less  then  twice  each  week,  the  condition  of  each  person 
so  afflicted  with  the  state  of  such  disease.” 

DISEASES  NOT  QUARANTINED. 

Measles,  mumps,  chickenpox,  infant  paralysis,  typhoid,  and 
tuberculosis,  (from  interview  with  Health  Officer).  There  is  a 
measure  which,  if  successful,  will  quarantine  infant  paralysis. 

During  the  past  five  years  there  have  been  several  epidemics 
of  measles,  scarlet  fever,  chickenpox,  and  several  cases  af  typhoid. 
No  report  is  made  of  measles  or  chicken  pox  altho  school  reports 
and  other  information  would  indicate  there  are  over  1000  cases 
of  these  each  year.  There  have  also  been  many  cases  of  scarlet 
fever  and  diptheria.  It  is  deplorable  that  these  diseases  continue. 
The  city  Health  Officer,  insists  that  the  amount  of  diseases  could 
be  prevented,  if  proper  precautions  were  observed.  This  will  be  ad¬ 
mitted  by  everyone.  Then  why  not  act  at  once?  Why  permit  an¬ 
other  epidemic  to  occur,  which  will  take  the  lives  and  impair  the 
vitality  of  members  of  our  community,  not  to  speak  of  the  great 
economic  loss?  It  lies  with  us!  What  are  we  going  to  cio  about 
it  !  !  ! 

„  WHAT  WE  ARE  DOING. 

1.  There  is  a  Health  Inspector  of  the  Schools,  who  m^kes  a 
thoro  inspection  annuallly  regarding  tonsils,  adenoids,  defective 
vision,  hearing  and  bad  teeth.  In  1914  it  was  found  that  8  per  cent 
had  adenoids  and  bad  tonsils;  20  per  cent  had  bad  teeth;  1  per  cent 
defective  hearing,  and  from  3  to  5  per  cent  defective  eyesight.  This 
inspection  has  proven  very  effective.  Would  not  a  more  frequent 
inspection  prove  more  so?  Would  it  not  be  a  good  business  to 
spend  a  little  more  in  the  prevention  of  disease,  and  a  little  less  for 
the  cure  thereof? 

2.  There  is  a  visiting  nurse  hired  by  the  city,  who  has  like¬ 
wise  had  charge  of  the  work  of  the  Associated  Charities.  A  fuller 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


27 


report  of  this  work  is  given  further  on,  but  it  might  be  stated  here, 
that  the  greatest  drawback  to  this  part  of  the  citys  preventive  work, 
is  the  “lack  of  thorough  co-operation”  on  the  part  of  the  various 
organizations  interested  in  relief  and  preventive  work. 

3.  The  City  Health  Department  is  proving  itself  especially 
efficient  this  year.  ^  This  has  proven  to  be  the  case  to  a  large  de¬ 
gree,  because  three  of  our  citizens,  Mrs.  Bolley,  Mrs.  Sheldon,  and 
Mrs.  Kindred  have  been  appointed  by  the  City  Commission  to  act 
as  special  Health  Inspectors,  to  assist  Dr.  Scanlon.  They  inspect 
all  eating  places,  groceries  and  meat  markets  monthly,  and  report  to 
the  Commission  concerning  existing  conditions.  It  is  almost  im¬ 
possible  to  state  the  change  that  has  taken  place  in  conditions  since 
this  work  was  started.  Places  which  were  positively  filthy,  have 
cleaned  up,  put  in  new  epuipment,  and  renovated  generally.  But 
the  item  of  greatest  value  is  this,  they  are  keeping  clean —  because 
these  inspectors  make  their  tour,  each  month,  and  do  not  have  any 
stated  time  for  appearing. 

It  might  be  added  here,  that  the  work  of  these  ladies  is  donated 
to  the  city.  Let  us  all  join  in  this  work  and  do  what  we  can  to 
make  Fargo,  the  Cleanest  City  in  the  Northwest! 

The  inspection  of  milk  in  Fargo  is  far  superior  to  any  other 
city  in  the  Northwest.  Most  of  the  milk  sold  in  the  city  is  pasteur¬ 
ized,  thus  doing  away  with  about  80  per  cent,  of  the  trouble  caused 
by  pemature  fermenting.  Under  an  ordinance  passed  in  1905,  any 
person,  firm  or  corporation  shipping  milk  must: 

1.  Have  a  license.  2.  Have  buildings,  stable  conditions 
and  premises  inspected.  3.  Have  cows  inspected  and  tagged; 
milk  and  cream  inspected.  Distributing  points  are  required  to 
keep  in  readiness  for  inspection  at  any  time,  and  keep  all  milk  on 
ice.  Milk  cannot  be  sold  from  animal  which  has  not  undergone 
the  tuberculin  test,  or  if  milk  is  impure  either  from  adulteration, 
dirt,  lack  of  given  amount  of  butterfat.  Inspector  shall  at  all  times 
be  free  to  inspect  and  condemn  cows  in  diseased  conditions.  The 
Inspector  shall  be  a  competent  veterinarian,  and  shall  give  bond  to 
the  extent  of  $1,000  to  insure  faithful  service. 

The  majority  of  meats  used  in  Fargo  comes  from  large  pack¬ 
ing  houses. 

Fargo  has  no  municipal  slaughter  house,  where  killing  can  be 
done  under  sanitary  conditions  and  where  meats  can  be  readily 
inspected.  Until  such  provision  is  made,  the  dealers  must  of 
necessity  receive  shipments  of  packing  house  goods,  and  the  con¬ 
sumer  will  pay  high  prices,  when  he  might  get  better  and  fresher 
meats  for  less  money.  Likewise,  the  lack  of  an  abattoir  (slaughter 


28 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF'  FARGO,  N.  D. 


house)  gives  rise  to  conditions  reported  by  our  assistant  Health 
Inspectors,  where  butchering  is  done,  in  the  basement  or  back 
rooms  of  the  shop.  The  danger  of  this  arises  not  only  from  un¬ 
cleanliness,  but  from  the  dangers  of  uninspected  animals  being 
killed.  While  the  city  of  Fargo  has  some  conditions  which  sur¬ 
pass  those  found  in  other  cities  of  its  size,  such  as  our  milk  and 
dairy  inspection,  and  our  health  department,  with  its  three  volun¬ 
teer  assistants,  still  we  dare  not  stop  and  become  satified.  Let  us 
compare  the  amount  paid  out  by  the  city  for  its  various  depart¬ 
ments. 


Police  (Including  Courts)  _  $16,957.50 

Streets  -  16,582.35 

Fire  - 18,249.52 

Health _  8,000.00 


Total  of  all  appropriations _ $156,000.00 


There  is  no  appropriation  made  by  the  city  for  health  educa¬ 
tion.  The  local  newspapers  do  much,  in  the  way  of  editorials  and 
articles,  and  Dr.  Ladd,  publishes  some  bulletins  on  his  work,  but 
there  is  nothing  done  by  the  city  to  bring  before  the  people  the 
necessary  knowledge  to  prevent  and  get  rid  of  disease.  There  are 
rigid  laws  regarding  the  reporting  of  all  forms  of  contagious  dis¬ 
eases,  but  even  some  of  the  physicans  are  lax  in  this  matter,  seeming 
to  think  it  a  favor  to  the  patient,  if  he  is  let  out  of  quarantine  be¬ 
fore  the  required  number  of  days  has  been  fulfilled.  One  physician 
is  said  to  have  given  antitoxin  by  the  month.  How  can  this  laxity 
in  regard  to  health  matters  be  overcome?  By  creating  a  sentiment 
againt  it;  by  a  complete  cooperation  of  every  one  in  demanding  that 
laws  shall  be  enforced ! ! 

LEGISLATIVE  RESTRICTIONS  AND  REGULATIONS. 

One  of  the  first  items  of  interest  in  regard  to  legal  restrictions 
and  regulations  is  the  fact  that  North  Dakota  has  constitutional 
Prohibition  of  the  sale  of  intoxicating  liquors.  It  is  true,  that 
large  quantities  of  liquors  have  always  been  sold  in  this  state,  but 
this  was  done  in  direct  violation  of  the  law,  and  was  made  poss¬ 
ible  because  of  lax  enforcement.  There  has  probably  been  less 
of  this  illegal  traffic  going  on  in  Fargo  than  in  some  other  cities  in 
North  Dakota,  because  liquor  could  be  secured  in  Moorhead.  Now 
that  Moorhead  has  gone  dry,  there  will  be  a  need  of  greater  vigilance 
in  this  matter  in  Fargo,  altho  this  additional  work  will  be  more  than 
offset  by  the  reduction  in  the  number  of  drunks  it  has  been  necessary 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


29 


to  deal  with.  During  the  year  1914  the  police  have  m.'de  the  fol¬ 


lowing  arrests: 

For  drunkenness _ : -  762 

For  vagrancy  _  164 

For  disorderly  conduct  _  265 

For  non-support  _  2 

For  crimes  against  property _  59 


Totaling  _ _ _  1252 


No  record  was  kept  of  residence,  so  it  is  impossible  to  tell 
whether  most  of  these  cases  were  transients,  visitors  or  citizens. 
Neither  was  any  record  kept  of  first  offenders,  as  it  was  deemed 
unimportant.  However,  unless  very  complete  records  are  kept  in 
regard  to  such  matters  there  is  little  that  can  be  done  to  remedy 
conditions.  If  there  is  an  unusually  large  percentage  of  first 
offenders,  there  is  probably  some  local  cause  which  may  be  removed, 
or,  on  the  other  hand,  if  there  are  persons  who  persist  in  com¬ 
mitting  petty  offenses,  it  can  be  seen  that  the  “usual  fine”  of  jail 
sentence  does  not  suffice.  For  example:  readers  of  our  local 
papers  will  recognize  the  following,  which  appears  again  and  again 

in  our  papers:  “ - arrested  by  —  —  at  11:40  Monday  night 

for  soliciting,  pleaded  guilty  to  that  charge  when  arrainged  yester¬ 
day  morning  and  was  fined  $10,  which  she  paid  and  was  released” 

or  “ - was  arrested  last  night  on  a  charge  of  disorderly  conduct. 

Being  unable  to  pay  the  fine,  he  was  given  the  ‘usual  sentence’  ”. 
This  same  thing  occurs  rgain  and  again,  with  the  same  individuals, 
thus  seemingly  indicating  that  the  “usual  sentence”  is  rather  in¬ 
effective.  Is  it  not  worth  trying  to  put  some  of  these  habitual 
•offenders,  on  probation,  since  this  continual  arrest,  fine  or  jail 
sentence  and  release,  to  be  arrested  again,  is  evidently  ineffective? 

A  NEW  JAIL  NEEDED! 

How  many  of  our  people  have  ever  seen  our  City  Jail?  Surely, 
but  a  very  small  number,  or  our  present  place  of  detention  would 
long  since  have  ceased  to  exist.  The  number  of  inmates  in  the 
city  jail  varies.  There  have  been  very  few  days  during  the  past 
year  when  there  has  not  been  one  or  more  prisoners  locked  up.  At 
times  there  have  been  as  many  as  34  in  the  jail  at  one  time.  There 
are  four  small  cells  5x10  and  10  feet  high,  with  one  cot  and  a  12x12 
window,  and  no  toilet  or  wash  bowl.  In  addition  to  these  there  is 
a  “Bull  Pen”,  18x30  feet,  which  has  a  toilet  and  sink  for  washing, 
and  two  30x30  windows. 


30 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


WOMEN’S  CELLS. 

In  a  space  about  10x30  feet  are  three  or  four  cots,  one  toilet 
and  wash  bowl  and  two  30x30  windows.  This  appartment  is 
separated  from  the  mens’  by  a  heavy  sheet  iron  partition  which  does 
not  extend  entirely  to  the  ceiling,  thus  making  it  possible  for  con¬ 
versation  to  pass  from  one  side  to  the  other.  Last  year  at  one 
time  there  were  seven  women  in  this  room. 

This  prison,  located  at  N.  P.  Avenue  and  Roberts  Street,  with 
the  office  of  the  police  department,  City  Weigher  and  Associated 
Charities,  all  located  on  the  basement  floor  of  the  City  Hall,  is 
about  3  feet  below  the  level  of  the  street.  The  quarters  are  crowd¬ 
ed  and,  unsanitary.  No  regular  work  is  provided  the  prisoners 
hence,  except  for  some  occasional  work,  as  cutting  weeds,  in  the 
summer  time,  they  sit  in  idleness. 

The  City  Jail  may  be  summed  up  briefly  by  saying,  that  it  is 
in  a  MOST  DEPLORABLE  CONDITION,  and  is  entirely  unsuited 
for  the  purpose,  namely — CORRECTION:  Citizens  of  Fargo,  Visit 
your  City  Jail  and  judge  for  yourself,  as  to  whether  a  man  or 
woman  who  has  been  confined  there,  will  become  a  better  citizen. 
If  it  does  not  serve  to  better  adjust  them  to  the  community,  and 
in  no  way  make  better  citizens  out  them,  what  in  the  name  of  com¬ 
mon  sense,  is  the  use  of  locking  them  up  for  a  few  days  and  turn¬ 
ing  them  out  worse  than  before? 

CHILD  CARE. 

There  are  approximately  370  children  cared  for  in  Fargo 
annually  by  the  recognized  institutions,  organized  for  the  care  of 
children.  Of  this  number  about  60  were  from  Fargo  , while  the 
rest  were  from  other  sections  of  this  and  neighboring  states. 

The  Florence  Crittenton  Home  cared  for  76  babies;  8  Juve¬ 
nile  court  cases;  and  22  births  among  which  latter,  only  1  case  was 
from  Fargo. 

The  N.  D.  Children’s  Home  cared  for  176  children  during  the 
year.  126  were  received  for  the  first  time. 

Accurate  figures  were  not  obtained  from  St.  John’s  Orphanage, 
but  from  100  to  125  children  are  cared  for  by  that  institution  an¬ 
nually.- 

The  Florence  Crittendon  Home  is  adequate  for  need  directly 
connected  with  its  own  work,  but  the  additional  care  of  Juvenile 
Court  cases  has  overtaxed  its  resources.  A  cottage  has  been  estab¬ 
lished  for  this  particular  phase  of  the  work,  and  is  proving  to  be 
most  successful. 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


31 


It  is  interesting  to  note  that  this  is  the  only  institution  in  the 
country  effectively  handling  Juvenile  Court  cases,  in  this  way. 
The  girls  are  given  as  nearly  normal  home  life  as  possible,  thus 
fitting  them  for  normal  social  life  again.  The  Crittenton  Home 
admits  such  cases  from  the  Juvenile  Court  as  are  absolutely  nec¬ 
essary,  this  however,  contrary  to  the  rules  of  the  National  F.  C.  H. 
organization.  Besides  infants  born  there,  care  is  also  given  to 
children  and  their  mothers  who  are  temporarily  in  need  of  help, 
or  where  the  mother  is  unable  to  provide  for  her  child.  The 
children  are  not  placed  for  adoption,  unless  the  mother  dies  while 
in  the  Home,  in  which  case  the  state  appoints  Superintendent  Top¬ 
ping  to  act  as  the  child’s  guardian  until  it  is  adopted  by  a  family 
meeting  her  approval.  The  child’s  relatives,  are  however,  given 
an  opportunity  to  take  or  refuse  the  child.  There  is  a  special 
need  for  a  State  Industrial  School  in  North  Dakota. 

The  N.  D.  Children’s  Home  is  very  much  overcrowded  and 
has  some  very  pressing  needs,  viz.,  a  fenced-in  play  ground;  more 
dormitory  room,  and  a  special  teacher,  as  the  attendance  of  the 
children  at  the  public  school,  has  not  proven  as  satisfactory  as 
could  be  wished.  There  is  likewise  a  need  for  appropriation  for 
special  nursing  in  time  of  acute  illness. 

This  home  admits  any  dependent,  neglected  or  homeless  child, 
regardless  of  race  or  color  unless  it  has  some  inherited  or  incur¬ 
able  malady  that  would  prevent  its  adoption  in  a  family  home. 
Temporary  care  is  given  to  children  of  mothers  struggling  with 
adversity,  but  private  parties  may  not  bring  children  here  to  board. 
Children  are  placed  out  on  two  conditions.  A  legal  adoption  in 
the  courts;  Indenture.  Applicants  for  children  must  be  kindheart- 
ed,  humane  and  of  good  report,  of  such  financial  conditions  to  give 
the  child  advantages,  must  cherish  child  in  a  Christian  manner  and 
provide  suitable  and  proper  education.  All  children  are  “followed 
up’’  until  they  become  self  supporting. 

The  St.  John’s  Orphanage  is  open  to  all  orphan  and  depen¬ 
dent  children.  They  are  placed  out  for  legal  adoption  only.  The 
family  must  be  Catholics  and  must  provide  an  education  for  the 
child  until  it  becomes  self  supporting.  The  Society  likewise  keeps 
in  touch  with  the  child  until  he  is  self  supporting. 

BABY  BOARDING  HOUSES  AND  MATERNITY  HOMES 

The  above  three  institutions  do  not  account  for  all  of  the 
dependent  children  in  the  community.  There  are  in  addition  to 
the  above,  at  least  six  private  maternity  homes  and  baby  and  child 
boarding  houses  in  Fargo  and  two  or  three  in  Moorhead,  who  are 
connected  with  similar  places  on  this  side  of  the  Red  river.  Some 


32 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


of  these  places  are  in  care  of  persons  who  do  the  best  they  can 
under  the  conditions,  but,  even  at  best,  one  woman  carihg  for 
12  or  15  babies,  or  from  14  to  20  older  children,  cannot  give  them 
the  necessary  care.  The  children  in  both  baby-boarding  houses 
and  maternity  homes  are  placed  out  in  families  not  legally  adopted, 
and  no  records  concerning  them  kept.  Out  of  six  persons  inter¬ 
viewed,  all  admitted  that  they  could  not  even  tell  the  number  of 
children  thus  placed  out,  and  that  they  kept  no  records  whatever, 
except  in  one  instance  where  it  was  said  something  near  the  truth 
could  be  arrived  at  by  consulting  her  account  book. 

One  woman  admitted  placing  children  out,  (children  which  she 
claimed  to  have  received  from  a  maternity  home,  when  they 
were  only  a  few  hours  old),  and  said  they  had  not  been  legally 
adopted,  but  even  the  mother  did  not  know  the  whereabouts  of  the 
child. 

Another  case;  that  her  brother  had  found  a  place  for  a  baby, 
but  she  didn’t  know  where. 

Different  keepers  of  these  places  have  made  rough  estimates  of 
the  number  of  babies  and  children  cared  for;  these  estimates  total 
up  to  about  120. 

If  this  were  a  wild,  unsettled  community,  there  might  be 
some  excuse  for  these  conditions,  but,  not  only  do  we  claim  to 
have  an  exceptionally  highly  enlightened  community,  but  in  addi¬ 
tion,  there  is  a  very  efficient  State  Law  relating  to  these  matters. 

The  following  is  the  State  Law  pertaining  to  these  matters: 

“An  Act  Regulating  Maternity  Hospitals,  Boarding  Houses 
for  Infants,  and  the  Business  of  Placing  Infants;  Fixing  Liability 
for  the  Care  of  Infants  and  Providing  for  their  Removal;  Prohib¬ 
iting  the  Sending  of  Pregnant  Women  to  Other  Counties  Where 
Their  Children  Become  Public  Dependants  and  Prescribing  Penal¬ 
ties  for  Violation  of  this  Act. 

“Be  it  enacted  by  the  Legislative  Assembly  of  the  State  of 
North  Dakota: 

Section  1.  Maternity  Hospital.  That  it  shall  be  unlawful  for 
any  person,  firm,  corporation  or  association  to  conduct  or  maintain 
a  maternity  hospital,  to  conduct  or  maintain  a  boarding  house  for 
infants,  to  conduct  or  maintain  a  boarding  home  for  children,  or 
to  engage  or  assist  in  conducting  a  place  for  placing  infants  as 
herein  defined;  without  having  in  full  force  a  written  license  there¬ 
for  from  the  district  court  of  the  county  in  which  such  maternity 
hospital,  boarding  house  or  boarding  home  is  conducted  and  main¬ 
tained;  provided  that  nothing  in  this  Act  shall  apply  to  any  state 
institution  maintained  and  operated  by  this  state. 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


33 


Section  2.  Maternity  Hospital  Definition.  The  term  materni¬ 
ty  hospital  as  used  in  this  Act  shall  be  held  to  mean  a  house  or 
other  place  maintained  or  conducted  by  any  one  who  advertises 
himself  or  boarding  house;  or  a  house  or  any  other  place  in  which 
hispital  or  boarding  house;  or  a  house  or  any  other  place  in  which 
any  person  receives,  cares  for  or  treats,  within  a  period  of  six 
months,  more  than  one  woman  during  pregnancy,  or  during  or 
after  delivery,  except  women  related  to  him  by  blood  or  marriage; 
Provided,  however,  that  nothing  herein  shall  be  construed  to  pre¬ 
vent  a  nurse  from  practicing  her  profession  under  the  care  of  a 
physician  in  the  home  of  the  patient,  or  in  a  regular  hospital  other 
than  a  maternity  hospital  or  boarding  house  for  infants. 

Section  3.  Boarding  House  for  Infants.-  Definition.  The  term 
boarding  house  for  infants  as  used  in  this  Act  shall  be  held  to  mean 
a  house  or  other  place  conducted  or  maintained  by  one  who  adver¬ 
tises  himself  or  holds  himself  out  as  conducting  a  boarding  house 
for  infants  under  three  years  of  age,  or  who  receives  illegitimate 
children  under  three  years  of  age,  or  who  has  in  his  custody  or 
control  two  or  more  infants  under  three  years  of  age  unattended 
by  parents  or  guardians,  for  the  purpose  of  providing  such  child¬ 
ren  with  food  or  lodging,  excepting  children  related  to  him  by  blood 
or  marriage  or  who  have  been  legally  adopted  by  him. 

Section  4.  Boarding  Home  for  Children.  Definition.  The 
term  boarding  home  for  children  as  used  in  this  Act  shall  be  held 
to  mean  any  children’s  home,  orphanage,  or  other  institutions,  as¬ 
sociations,  organization  or  individual  engaged  in  receiving,  caring 
for  and  finding  homes  for  orphans,  dependent  and  neglected 
children. 

Section  5.  Placing  Infants.  Definition.  Whoever  advertiess 
himself  or  holds  himself  out  as  placing  or  finding  homes  for,  or 
otherwise  disposing  of  infants  under  three  years  of  age,  or  who¬ 
ever,  within  a  period  of  six  months,"  actually  places  or  assists  in 
placing  in  homes  of  persons  other  than  relatives,-  or  causes  or  as¬ 
sists  in  causing  the  adoption  or  disposal  otherwise  of  more  than 
two  infants  under  three  years  of  age,  shall  be  deemed  as  engaged  in 
or  assisting  in  conducting  a  business  of  placing  infants. 

Section  6.  license.  How  Issued.  (Contents).  The  judge 
of  the  district  court  shall  have  the  power  to  grant  licenses  to  per¬ 
sons  or  organizations  to  maintain  maternity  hospitals,  or  boarding 
houses  for  infants  as  defined  in  Sections  2,  3  and  5  of  this  Act, 
upon  the  payment  of  a  fee  of  five  dollars  to  the  clerk  of  court, 
said  fee  to  be  turned  into  the  county  treasury  and  used  to  defray 
the  expenses  incurred  by  said  district  judge  in  carrying  out  the 


34 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


provisions  of  this  Act.  No  license  shall  be  granted  for  a  term  ex¬ 
ceeding  one  year.  It  shall  state  the  name  of  the  licensee,  the  par¬ 
ticular  premise  in  or  at  which  the  business  shall  be  carried  on  and 
the  number  of  women  or  infants  that  may  be  treated,  maintained, 
boarded  or  cared  for  at  any  one  time;  and  said  license  shall  be 
posted  in  a  conspicuous  place  in  the  house  or  other  place  in  the 
house  at  which  the  business  is  conducted.  No  greater  number  of 
women  or  infants  shall  be  kept  at  one  time  on  the  premises  than 
is  authorized  in  the  license,  and  no  woman  or  infmts  shall  be  kept 
or  disposed  of  within  a  building  or  place  not  designated  in  the  li¬ 
cense.  The  record  of  such  license  when  issued,  shall  be  kept  by 
the  clerk  of  the  court,  who  shall  forthwith  give  a  copy  of  said  li¬ 
cense  to  the  board  of  health  of  the  city  or  county  in  which  the  li¬ 
censed  business  is  to  be  conducted.  The  judge  of  district  court 
shall  designate  a  person  to  visit  and  inspect  the  premises,  and  in¬ 
vestigate  the  manner  of  conducting  the  business  licensed.  Such 
persons  shall  have  the  right  to  call  for  and  examine  the  records 
required  by  this  Act  to  be  kept,  and  to  inquire  into  all  matters  con¬ 
cerning  such  hospital  and  house  and  the  women  and  children  there¬ 
in,  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  licensee  to  give  all  reasonable 
facility  for  examining  records,  inspecting  the  premises  and  seeing 
the  inmates  thereof.  Every  such  visit,  inspection  and  investigation 
made  by  a  city  or  county  board  of  health  shall  be  reported  by  that 
board  to  the  judge  of  the  district  court. 

Section  7.  Rules  and  Regulations.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  judge  of  district  court  to  provide  such  general  regulations  and 
rules  for  the  conduct  of  all  maternity  hospitals  and  boarding  houses 
for  infants  and  for  the  business  of  placing  infants  that  shall  seem 
advisable  to  said  judge  and  not  inconsistent  with  any  of  the  pro¬ 
visions  of  this  Act.  The  judge  of  district  court  may  revoke  such 
license  when  in  his  discretion  any  provision  of  the  Act  is  violated; 
or  in  any  case  where,  in  the  opinion  of  the  judge,  such  maternity 
hospital  or  such  boarding  house  for  infants  is  maintained  without 
due  regard  to  the  health,  comfort  and  morality  of  the  inmates,  or 
without  due  regard  to  the  common  rules  of  hygiene,  or  when  any 
such  infants  have  been  placed  in  homes  given  in  adoption  or  other¬ 
wise  disposed  of  without  proper  provisions  or  regard  for  the  health, 
comfort,  maintenance,  and  moral  welfare  of  the  infants.  The  judge 
of  district  court  shall  note  such  revocation  upon  the  face  of  the 
record  thereof  and  shall  give  notice,  in  writing,  of  such  revocation 
to  the  licensee  by  delivering  the  notice  to  him  in  person,  or  leav¬ 
ing  it  on  the  licensed  premises,  and  shall  forthwith  notify  the  board 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


35 


of  health  of  such  city  and  county  in  which  such  premises  are  sit¬ 
uated. 

Section  8.  Admission  of  Patients.  Record.  Report.  Every 
person,  firm,  corporation  or  association  that  conducts,  or  holds  a 
license  to  conduct  a  maternity  hospital  as  herein  defined,  shall, 
upon  the  admission  of  any  woman  or  patient,  make  a  record  in  a 
form  to  be  prescribed  by  the  judge  of  district  court,  wherein  shall 
be  entered  by  the  true  and  correct  name  of  such  woman  or  patient, 
together  with  all  her  places  of  residence  during  the  year  preceding 
her  admission  to  such  hospital.  Within  twenty-four  hours  after 
a  woman  is  admitted  to  a  maternity  hospital,  a  report  of  such 
admission  shall  be  made  to  the  judge  of  the  district  court.  Every 
birth  which  takes  place  in  any  such  maternity  hospital  shall  be  at¬ 
tended  by  a  legally  qualified  physician  or  licensed  midwife  and  a 
record  shall  be  kept  by  the  persons  conducting  such  hospital,  con¬ 
taining  the  date  of  the  birth  of  the  infant,  together  with  the  name, 
sex  and  color  thereof,  the  name  and  address  of  the  mother  of  such 
infant  and  of  the  physician  or  licensed  midwife  attending  the  birth. 
If  the  mother  shall  refuse  to  give  a  given  name  to  such  child,  the 
persons  in  charge  of  the  hospital  shall  give  the  same  a  given  name 
and  enter  it  in  the  records  of  the  birth.  The  surname  of  the  child 
shall  be  that  of  the  father,  whether  such  child  is  legitimate  or  ille¬ 
gitimate,  if  the  name  of  the  father  is  known.  A  copy  of  the  re¬ 
cords  mentioned  in  this  section  shall  be  sent  to  the  judge  of  the 
district  court  within  two  days  after  the  birth  of  such  infants. 

Section  9.  Birth  and  Other  Records.  Every  person,  firm,  cor¬ 
poration  or  association  that  is  conducting  a  maternity  hospital,  a 
boarding  house  for  infants,  or  is  placing  infants,  as  defined  in  this 
Act,  or  is  holding  a  license  as  provided  herein,  shall  keep  a  record 
in  a  form  to  be  prescribed  by  the  judge  of  district  court  wherein 
shall  be  entered  the  name,  age,  sex  and  color  of  every  child  born 
on  His  premises  or  brought  Yo  him  for  placing,  or  finding  a  home 
for,  or  giving  out  for  adoption,  or  otherwise  disposing  of  the  same, 
together  with  the  name  and  address  of  each  of  the  parents  of  said 
child;  the  name  of  every  woman  of  and  of  every  child  who  dies 
while  in  his  care,*  together  with  the  date  of  such  death;  also  the 
name  and  residence  of  the  person  with  whom  the  child  is  placed 
or  by  whom  it  is  adopted  ;this  entry  to  be  made  within  twenty- 
four  hours  after  such  child  is  given  out',  taken  away  or  disposed  of 
in  any  manner.  A  correct  copy  of  such  record  shall  be  sent  to  the 
judge  of  the  district  court  at  such  times  as  the  judge  shall  require.” 


36 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  F'ARGO,  N.  D. 


INSPECTION  NEEDED 

All  but  two  of  the  persons  approached  seem  indignant,  or  in¬ 
different  concerning  this  law.  One  person  saymg,  she  thought 
baby  boarding  houses  should  be  carefully  regulated,  but  in  regard 
to  maternity  homes  that  the  Government  has  no  business  to  go 
snooping  into  person’s  private  affairs,  and  that  she  would  not  con¬ 
form  to  it.  If  forced  to  conform  to  it  she  would  close  up. 

The  babies  in  these  places  are  nearly  all  illegitimate,  and  come 
here  from  far  and  near.  Some  are  even  sent  from  the  Twin  Cities. 
Are  we  as  citizens  of  Fargo  going  to  permit  this  condition  to  con¬ 
tinue,  and  let  Fargo  become  an  unregulated  dumping  ground,  for 
persons  desiring  to  dispose  of  their  babies?  What  kind  of  citi¬ 
zens  can  we  expect  of  these  unsupervised  children,  who  are  without 
parental  care,  without  any  legal  care,  and  for  whom,  even  the  per¬ 
sons  who  place  them  out,  have  no  responsibility,  when  once  they 
are  passed  on  to  another  party. 

There  is  perhaps  no  other  part  of  the  state  where  the  above 
Law  will  apply  more  than  right  here.  This  is  one  of  our  immed¬ 
iate  duties.  “What  are  we  going  to  do  about  it?’’ 

As  has  been  stated,  there  are  numerous  organizations  and  in¬ 
dividuals  in  Fargo  having  for  their  purpose,  the  amelioration  of 
the  social  ills  of  the  group  in  which  they  are  located,  but  there  is 
one  Organization  whose  primary  object  is  the  co-ordination  of  the 
work  of  these  other  bodies.  This  Organization  is  the  Associated 
Charities. 


THE  ASSOCIATED  CHARITIES 

In  order  to  do  the  best  and  most  efficient  work  it  is  necessary 
that  all  societies  and  all  persons  interested  in  Social  work  should 
cooperate  with  one  another  in  every  way  and  at  all  times.  With¬ 
out  cooperation  all  charity  becomes  inefficient  and  extravagant. 
Many  people  and  societies  do  cooperate  with  one  another,  but  there 
are  some  who  do  not  see  the  need  of  closer  cooperation.  These  are 
wasting  to  a  great  extent  their  own  and  other  people’s  efforts  to  be 
of  service  to  the  community. 

Instead  of  anyone  taking  it  upon  themselves  to  feed  homeless 
and  dependent  persons  or  provide  them  with  money,  they  should  be 
referred  to  the  Associated  Charities,  where  their  cases  may  be 
properly  investigated  and  work,  food,  clothing,  lodging,  transpor¬ 
tation  or  medical  care  will  be  provided  for  them  as  may  be  found 
necessary.  When  possible,  relatives  and  friends  will  be  communi¬ 
cated  with,  who  will  often  provide  for  the  dependent  person  and 
he  or  she  will  not  become  a  public  charge. 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


37 


Of  like  importance  in  the  attempt  to  achieve  best  results,  is 
the  matter  of  duplication.  All  persons  and  organizations  of  Fargo 
who  have  the  best  interests  of  the  community  at  heart  should  co¬ 
operate  in  making  the  Associated  Charities  the  CENTRAL  BUREAU, 
or  CLEARING  HOUSE  for  all  charity  work  of  the  city.  If  a  case 
is  being  handled  by  any  person  or  society,  the  matter  should  b<^ 
reported  to  the  Associated  Charities,  so  that  proper  records  can  be 
made  and  the  responsibility  for  that  particular  case  be  definitely 
located. 


FREE  EMPLOYMENT  BUREAU 

The  free  employment  bureau  has  far  more  than  paid  off  its 
maintenance  in  the  amount  of  money  earned  by  tne  people  who 
made  use  of  it  during  the  past  year.  The  work  has  more  than 
doubled;  in  1913  employment  was  secured  by  438  persons;  in  1914 
employment  was  secured  for  a  total  of  976.  Here  is  another  phase 
of  our  work  where,  if  those  having  work  to  offer  and  those  de¬ 
siring  work  would  cooperate  more  fully  our  success  along  this  line 
could  be  even  greater  than  it  has  been. 

SUMMARY  OF  THE  BUREAU  FOR  1913  AND  1914 


Women  sent  out  by  the  day - 991 

Men  sent  out  by  the  day - - - - 307 

Permanent  positions  for  girls _  7 

Total  number  openings  for  work  offered  - 1106 

Annual  cost  of  Maintenance _ $326.00 

We  consider  this  a  good  investment. 

Personal  interviews  in  office  _  1,052 

Business  calls _ _  245 

Investigations  for  county  _  94 

Investigations  for  other  organizations  _  17 

Letters  received  and  answered _  300 

Homeless  girls  and  women  applied  for  help _ s. _  10 

Homeless  men  applied  for  help _ 114 

Families  assisted  _  80 

Legal  aid  for  girls  and  women _  5 

Rent  paid  for  families,  number _  4 

Number  of  garments  distributed  _  1,700 


VISITING  NURSE  DEPARTMENT 


Professional  calls  for  1913  and  1914 


2,344 


38 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


ITEMIZED  REPORT  FOR  1914  ONLY: 

Obstetrical  cases  cared  for -  32 

Measles  (patients  nursed  and  parents  instructed)  -  27 

Tuberculosis  patients  instructed,  nursing  care -  15 

Bronchitis  _  1 

Pleurisy - 1 

Pneumonia  _ _  4 

Rheumatism  _  2 

Heart  Disease _  3 

Meningitis  _  1 

Nephritis  _ 1 

Paralysis  _  1 

Anemia  _  1 

Cholera  Infantum  _  9 

Wounds  dressed  in  office _  5 

Old  age  _  3 

Diphtheria  _ : _  1 

Insane  patients _ 2 

Feeble  minded  patients _  3 

Tonsils  and  Adenoids — operative  cases  _  5 

Patients  sent  to  hospitals _  13 

Medical  care  for  special  cases _  6 

Typhoid  Fever  _  3 


Total  number  patients _  134 

This  report  does  not  include  the  work  done  since  January, 
1915. 

Receipts 

Balance  on  hand  May  18,  1913 - $  77.00 

Balance  on  hand  January  18,  1914 -  161.40 

City  warrants  _ 1 _  1,100.00 

County  warrants  _  950.00 

Visiting  Nurse  fees _  100.00 

Membership  dues  _  124.00 

Other  donations  _  378.00 


Total  _ $2776.18 

Expenses 

Visiting  nurse  salary  _ $1,979.32 

Assistant  nurse  _  42.52 

Salary  for  clerk  _ 362.50 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D.  39 

Meals  and  lodging  for  transients -  40.45 

Rent  - -  - : -  38.25 

Shack  for  Tubercular  patient -  17.85 

Transportation  for  transients - - -  24.04 

Loan  _  14.00 

Livery  and  drayage -  19.50 

Office  supplies  _ ;  31.97 

Groceries  _ 11.57 

Drugs  _  20.60 

Special  nurse  fees  -  9.50 

Shoes  and  clothing - - -  8.60 

Miss  Ottinger  for  services _ , -  5.00 

Associated  Charities,  Mpls.  special -  3.00 

Miss  Carrie  Johnson  - : —  3.00 

Telegraphing  _ 2.95 

Office  rent  -  133.50 

Water  rent  _  4.00 

Bunting  _ 1.65 

Glasses  for  two _  7.50 

Total  _ $2,763.42 

Deficit  of  _  13.26 


HOMELESS  MEN 

Fargo  is  so  centrally  located,  that  men  flock  in  from  all 
parts  of  the  country,  and  the  question  of  finding  employment  for 
them  during  the  winter  is  a  serious  matter.  Men  who  have  always 
worked  regularly  frequently  find  themselves  out  of  a  job  without 
a  moment’s  notice.  It  is  sometimes  weeks  and  even  months  before 
another  can  be  found. 

There  are  of  course  many  men  who  are  always  out  of  work, 
and  men  who  work  only  long  enough  anywhere  to  earn  a  little 
money  with  which  to  take  themselves  elsewhere.  It  is*  the  best 
policy  never  to  give  material  relief  to  these  men  without  offering 
work  if  it  can  be  found.  But  if  there  is  nothing  to  do  they  must 
be  provided  with  food,  clothing  and  lodging  until  otherwise  cared 
for. 


DO  YOU  WANT  TO  DO  SOME  CONSTRUCTION  WORK? 

Here  is  the  point  where  every  citizen  of  Fargo  can  help  rem¬ 
edy  conditions.  You  can  do  more  real  good  if  you  provide  some 
work  and  help  some  individual  by  permitting  him  to  earn  a  meal, 
than  by  giving  him  a  “hand-out”  and  telling  him  to  pass  on — this 


40 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


as  nothing  else  in  our  local  activities  demands  cooperation,  for  the 
building  up  of  our  efficient  municipal  employment  bureau. 

NO  WORK  !  HUNGER  !  COLD  ! 

There  are  often  times  when  there  is  positively  no  work  to 
be  found,  and  when  there  are  great  numbers  of  men  in  our  city. 
That  situation  was  very  evident  last  winter,  when  the  Glad  Tidings 
Mission  found  it  necessary  to  do  something.  Another  winter  is 
coming.  It  may  be  better  or  worse — but  the  probabilities  are  that 
there  will  be  about  the  same  number  of  men  out  of  work  and 
money,  as  last  year.  The  situation  must  be  met.  Those  men 
.must  be  fed,  and  sheltered.  We  might  as  well  prepare  for  the 
situation  which  we  are  all  reasonably  sure  will  arise,  and  provide 
for  a  Municipal  Lodging  House  At  Once!  _  There  are  still  several 
months  before  winter.  Let’s  get  busy  now.  Provide  some  munici¬ 
pal  work  for  these  men,  so  that  they  may  honestly  earn  the  help 
given  them. 

If  a  municipal  lodging  house,  and  municipal  work  is  provided, 
(either  through  private  cooperation  with  muncipal  labor  bureau, 
or  otherwise),  the  honest,  but  needly  man  will  be  provided  for, 
and  the  man  who  is  merely  lazy  will  have  to  work  or  move  on. 

WIDOWS  AND  DESERTED  WIVES 

Alcoholism  and  wife  desertion  are  probably  the  most  frequent 
causes  of  poverty,  but  sickness  and  death  contribute  their  share. 
The  problem  of  finding  suitable  means  of  support  for  women  who 
have  the  support  of  two  or  more  children  thrust  upon  them 
through  no  fault  of  their  own  is  not  an  easy  matter.  To  send  a 
mother  out  to  work  all  day  and  leave  the  little  ones  in  the  house 
with  an  irresponsible  little  girl,  or  still  worse,  to  leave  them  all 
day  alone  in  the  house  or  on  the  street,  as  is  so  often  the  case,  is 
always  disastrous  to  the  little  children.  These  usually  grow  up 
dissipated  men  and  irrisponsible  women,  which  should  not  be  possible 
in  an  enlightened  community.  The  new  Mother’s  Pension  law 
should  do  much  to  improve  these  conditions. 

A  deserter  husband  can  usually  be  brought  to-  justice  if  he 
can  be  located.  But  if  he  is  a  drunkard;  the  family  is  often  worse 
off  with  him  than  without  him.  Such  men  should  be  made  Wards 
of  the  State  as  much  as  the  insane.  They  could  then  be  given  em¬ 
ployment  with  which  to  support  the  family.  Few  men  in  the 
laboring  class  realize  the  importance  of  providing  against  an 
emergency  by  insuring  their  lives,  so  that  when  death  comes  to 
them  their  families  are  left  destitute,  perhaps  one  of  the  most  im- 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


41 


portant  reasons  for  this  is  the  fact  that  we  have  no  Insurance 
Company  which  specializes  in  small  policies,  and  the  people  are 
unable  to  buy  more  expensive  insurance. 

EDUCATION 

On  June  20th,  1914  there  were  4,318  children  of  school  age 
in  the  city.  On  March  1st,  1915  there  were  3,067  children  in  the 
public  schools,  the  difference  may  of  course  be  accounted  for  by 
the  fact  that  there  are  many  children  of  the  school  age  attending 
private  schools,  and  also  that  some  few  have  been  excused  for 
various  reasons. 

How  many  of  our  children  get  all  the  education  the  city. 


offers  them?  The  following  is  a  statement  of  attendance  received 
this  spring  from  the  school  authorities. 

Sept.  1913  May  1914 

Number 

in 

5th 

grade 

_  257 

330 

Number 

in 

6th 

grade 

.  _.  244 

279 

Number 

in 

7th 

grade 

217 

244 

Number 

in 

8th 

grade 

168 

Sept.  1913 

185 

.May  1914 

Number 

in 

1st 

year  High  School 

168 

144 

Number 

in 

2nd 

year  High  School 

130 

_  110 

Number 

in 

3rd 

year  High  School 

83 

75 

Number 

in 

4th 

year  High  School 

-  71 

68 

There  are  two  noticeable  facts  about  this  report.  1st.  Many 
pupils  miss  the  first  month  of  school.  2nd.  Many  of  our  children 
do  not  even  acquire  an  eighth  grade  education.  It  is  true  this 
report  is  not  a  true  indication  of  that  fact,  since  it  takes  only  one 
year  into  account,  but,  still,  the  falling  off  from  grade  to  grade  is 
so  great,  that  it  shows  the  tendency  in  the  matter. 

TRUANCY 

There  is  no  separate  and  distinct  truancy  department  in  con¬ 
nection  with  our  public  schools.  The  work  is  carried  on  for  the 
most  part  by  Mrs.  Erma  Irwin  Poppler,  who  is  a  regularly  ap¬ 
pointed  juvenile  officer.  She  is  notified  of  persistent  cases  of 
truancy  by  the  principals  of  the  various  schools,  and  likewise  finds 
cases  in  connection  with  her  other  work.  An  investigation  is 
made  of  the  conditions  surrounding  the  delinquent  child,  the  fami¬ 
ly  life,  etc.,  and  an  effort  is  made  to  remedy  the  conditions  by  a 


42 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


cooperation  of  parents  and  teacher.  Rev.  O.  E.  McCracken  and  Mr. 
Frank  D.  Hall  are  likewise  regularly  appointed  truant  officers. 

Extreme  cases  of  truancy  are  taken  before  Judge  Pollock  for 
correction. 

JUVENILE  COURT 

During  the  year  1914,  there  were  43  cases  brought  before  the 
Juvenile  Court.  Of  this  number  26  were  boys  and  17  girls.  Like¬ 
wise,  out  of  the  43  cases,  27  were  children  16  years  of  age  or  under. 
There  is  no  industrial  school  in  North  Dakota,  hence  several  of  the 
girls  were  put  into  the  care  of  Miss  Topping  of  the  Crittenton  Home. 
A  cottage  was  provided,  and  one  of  the  most  unique  experiments 
in  the  country  successfully  carried  out.  The  girls  are  given  a 
normal  home  life,  which  is  the  thing  they  needed — and  the  lack 
of  which  caused  them  to  come  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  court. 

It  has  been  found  that  the  probation  system  works  very  ef¬ 
fectively  in  the  case  of  children.  Why  not  apply  it  to  adults? 
Many  of  them  are  little  more  than  children  mentally,  and  are  in 
need  of  just  such  care  and  supervision  as  is  given  by  a  system  of 
probation.  As  has  been  mentioned  above.  Visit  our  City  Jail,  and 
judge  for  yourself  whether  or  not  a  man  will  be  better  or  worse 
after  spending  some  time  in  that  inhuman,  unsanitary  place. 

CHURCHES 

(Lenore  Smith,  President  Philathea  Class,  Plymouth 
Congregational  Sunday  School). 

There  are  twenty-eight  churches  in  Fargo,  representing  var¬ 
ious  denominations.  There  is  a  city  Y.  M.  C.  A.  and  Y.  W.  C.  A., 
and  a  division  of  the  Salvation  Army,  all  of  which  are  in  active  con¬ 
dition.  Of  the  three  above  mentioned,  the  greater  amount  of  in¬ 
terest  seems  to  center  in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Besides  the  city  organiza¬ 
tions,  there  are  Y.  M.  C.  A.’s  and  Y.  W.  C.  A.’s  in  connection  with 
several  of  the  local  colleges 

There  are  separate  churches  for  every  nationality  that  is 
represented  to  any  extent  in  the  city. 

The  churches  are  united  on  practically  all  civic  questions. 
There  is  favor  towards  church  federation  amongs  the  majority  of 
the  Protestant  churches,  and  there  is  practically  no  opposition  to 
the  church  in  the  community. 

The  city  has  a  Ministrel  Association  including  most  of  the 
Protestant  ministers  of  the  city.  The  Association  takes  an  active 
part  in  civic  improvements,  and  in  social  and  moral  problems,  the 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


43 


ministers  of  the  city  are  sympathetic  and  responsive  in  matters 
of  social  welfare  to  more  than  the  usual  degree. 

Generally  speaking,  .the  various  churches  do  not  rvoid  the 
poor  districts,  though  a  number  of  them  depend  on  the  Glad  Tid¬ 
ings  Mission  to  care  for  those  outside  their  own  denomination. 

Practically  the  only  group  not  reached  by  any  church  are  a 
few  Greek  Catholics,  and  some  negros.  The  majority  of  the  stu¬ 
dents  of  business  colleges  are  non-attendants  at  the  church  ser¬ 
vices,  but  active  measures  are  being  taken  towards  interesting  them 
in  regular  service. 

All  the  churches  are  interested  in  missions,  both  home  and 
foreign,  and  practically  all  of  them  furnish  some  sort  of  training 
along  religious  and  social  lines  for  their  young  people.  The  most 
popular  work  of  this  kind  is  obtained  through  the  young  peoples 
meetings  and  the  Sunday  School,  especially  through  the*  organized 
classes  of  the  Sunday  School. 

A  fair  percentage  of  the  churches  prefer  taking  sole  charge  of 
donations  for  charitable  purposes,  in  preference  to  active  co-opera¬ 
tion  with  charitable  organizations.  This  fact  seems  to  be  due  to 
skepticism  in  regard  to  the  organization  of  the  charitable  societies, 
rather  than  to  any  denominations  differences. 

In  some  communities  the  difference  between  churched  and  non- 
churched  denominations,  corresponds  to  social  differences.  Some 
creeds  forbid  amusements  furnished  under  the  auspices  of  the 
church  in  other  denominations.  In  no  case  does  there  seem  to 
be  any  open  antipathy  towards  the  church  on  the  part  of  any  of 
the  citizens. 

Practically  every  church  has  some  method  of  attracting  peo¬ 
ple  of  the  community  to  its  services,  the  most  popular  of  which 
seems  to  be  by  means  of  special  music,  and  occasional  lectures 
and  speeches  given  by  outsiders. 

All  told,  the  combined  membership  of  the  churches  of  the 
city  comprises  between  twenty-five  and  thirty  per  cent  of  the 
cities’  population.  The  combined  membership  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.’s 
is  about  1152  and  of  the  Y.  W.  C.  A.’s  about  425.  Nearly  fifty  per 
cent  of  these  are  church  members  in  regular  standing.  Prdctibally 
every  class  of  people  in  the  city  is  represented  in  these  societies, 
md  the  majority  are  interested  in  both  the  social  arid  religious 
meetings.  Bible  and  mission  study  classes  are  held  weekly'  and 
social  meetings  and  lectures  are  arranged  for,  when  possible. 


44 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


RECREATION 

Fargo  is  a  city  of  young  people,  This  is  true  not  only  because 
of  the  large  number  of  young  people  who  have  left  older  communi¬ 
ties,  and  gone  into  business  in  Fargo — but  because  of  the  great 
numbers  who  come  here  to  attend  the  various  schools  and  colleges. 

What  Does  Fargo  Do  For  the  Leisure  of  It’s  Young  People? 

The  principal  lines  of  recreation  are  the  dance  halls,  the  puo- 
lic  parks,  theatres,  pool  halls,  bowling  alleys,  gymnasiums,  athe- 
letics,  and  in  winter  time  skating. 

1.  Dance  Halls.  There  are  four  public  dance  halls  in  Fargo, 
the  city  has  a  strict  ordinance  for  the  regulation  of  these  places 
of  amusement,  and  it  is  very  well  enforced  by  Mrs.  Erma  Poppler, 
Fargo’s  Policewoman.  Before  this  supervision  was  instituted,  the 
conditions  were  terrible  and  even  with  supervision  it  was  some 
time  before  they  could  be  properly  regulated.  There  is  consider¬ 
able  opposition  to  the  public  dance  halls  in  the  city,  but  the  counter 
contention  is,  that  if  they  are  not  permitted  the  young  people  will 
go  outside  the  city  to  unregulated  dance  halls  instead  of  to  the 
local  regulated  ones. 

2.  Parks.  As  stated  above,  Fargo  is  richly  endowed  with  parks 
Island  Park,  almost  in  the  center  of  the  city  has  but  one  serious 
drawback.  It  is  not,  provided  with  lights.  Install  lights  in  this 
park,  so  that  it  may  be  used  by  our  young  people  safely,  by  the 
young  men  and  women  who  have  no  other  parlor,  by  the  working 
people  of  the  city  who  cannot  afford  to  go  to  the  lakes  for  an 
outing,  and  without  question,  Fargo  will  have  not  only  the  finest 
park  of  any  city  of  its  size  in  the  country — but,  the  recreation 
problem  will  have  been  met  to  a  very  large  degree. 

3.  Theatres.  A  popular  form  of  recreation  is  found  in  the 
theatres,  of  which  there  are  six  in  the  city  running  regularly,  and 
in  addition  to  these,  there  are  periodical  performances  in  the 
Auditorium.  It  has  been  estimated  that  there  is  a  total  average 
daily  attendance  of  the  different  show  houses  amounting  to  be¬ 
tween  4,000  and  5,000.  We  have  not  verified  these  figures,  but, 
whatever  the  exact  number  may  be,  the  proportion  is  compara¬ 
tively  high. 

4.  Pool  Halls  and  Bowling  Alleys.  There  are  thirteen  pool 
halls  and  four  bowling  alleys  in  Fargo.  In  the  majority  of  them 
the  ventilation  is  very  poor,  hence  as  a  means  for  exercise  and 
recreation  they  are  poor  at  best.  They  are  very  well  patronized, 
especially  in  the  winter  time,  and  most  of  them  are  well  conducted. 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


45 


5.  Skating.  During  the  winter  months,  the  City  of  Fargo 
provides  one  of  the  most  wholesome  and  beneficial  forms  of  rec¬ 
reation  to  he  found — out  doors  skating.  Very  few  cities  are  so 
situated  that  they  may  provide  recreation  of  this  kind  to  the  extent 
that  Fargo  does.  Anyone  passing  down  Seventh  Street  South  in 
the  winter  time  will  admit,  that  here  indeed,  on  the  skating  rink, 
is  money  well  spent. 

An  indoor  skating  rink  has  recently  been  opened  on  Broadway. 
This  is  well  attended,  but  as  yet  it  is  not  possible  to  comment  as 
to  its  effect  upon  the  local  problem  of  recreation.  We  trust  it 
will  become  an  important  and  valuable  addition. 

6.  In  addition  to  the  other  forms  of  recreation  offered,  are 
the  various  forms  of  athletics.  The  different  colleges  and  Y.  M. 
C.  A.,  as  well  as  the  local  leagues  not  only  serve  the  public  by 
offering  opportunity  to  see  these  sports — but,  of  more  importance, 
gives  the  opportunity  to  many  of  our  young  people  to  take  active 
part  therein. 

7.  Playgrounds.  Many  of  Our  Children  Have  No  Playground 
But  the  Street.  Does  the  above  statement  seem  strong  in  a  “City 
of  Homes?”.  It  probably  does.  But,  for  those  who  doubt — we 
suggest  a  walk  down  Front  Street,  and  ask  them  where  the  boys 
pnd  girls  there  must  play  if  they  play  at  all.  There  is  an  open 
space  around  the  Washington  School.  Why  can  we  not  make  that 
into  an  enclosed  playground  for  the  children  in  that  part  of  the 
city?  Equip  it,  get  someone  to  take  charge  of  it — and  thus  Help 
These  Children  to  Become  Good  Citizens. 

SUMMARY. 

This  report  of  the  investigations  made  has  not  been  an  at¬ 
tempt  to  revolutionize  the  Social  Condition  of  Fargo.  It  has  been, 
as  was  said  above,  a  brief  Inventory  of  Our  Stock  in  the  Condi¬ 
tions  and  Activities  of  Life  in  Fargo.  What  have  been  found  to 
be  some  of  the  leading  features: 

1.  That  Fargo  is  ideally  located  to  become  the  Most  Health¬ 
ful  City  in  the  United  States. 

2.  That  its  population  is  increasing  rapidly  but  steadily. 

3.  Fargo  is  a  city  of  Individual  Homes,  but,  that  there  are 
many  defective  houses  in  the  city,  and  that  there  are  yery  inade¬ 
quate  housing  laws  in  Fargo. 


46 


SOCIAL  SURVEY  OF  FARGO,  N.  D. 


4.  Fargo  has  one  of  the  best  water  and  sewer  systems  in 
the  country^  hut,  over  one-third  of  the  dwellings  are  not  con¬ 
nected  therewith. 

5.  Flies  and  mosquitoes  abound  because  citizens  fail  to  take 
proper  precautions.  Let’s  clean  up  and  Stay  Clean. 

6.  Garbage  situation  very  bad.  Commission  recently  passed 
ordinance  which  may  remedy  conditions  to  a  large  degree  for  the 
present — until  an  incinerator  can  be  built. 

7.  Unnecessary  epidemic  of  contagious  diseases  frequent. 

8.  City  Jail  in  Deplorable  Condition  and  a  new  jail  needed. 

9.  Supervision  of  Baby  Boarding  Houses  and  Maternity  Hos¬ 
pitals  needed. 

10.  Necessity  for  concerted  action  of  Everyone  in  the  City 
needed  to  remedy  social  conditions  and  make  Fargo  the  Best  City 
in  the  Northwest  in  Which  to  Live. 


